
Bii 



BwgMEgBBBEr 



WM 



9KH 









mm 



rinted in the United State!, San Jo«e, California, 



fl Trip to mars 



^Bg ^arctatms $~ ^osst 



7$4 




COPYRIGHT 1920 
BY MARCIANUS F. ROSSI 



S)C!,A601850 






eec- 



s »» 



INDEX 

CHAPTER I 

Page 

The Encounter 5 

CHAPTER II 

First Trip 16 

CHAPTER III 

Trip to Mars - 17 

CHAPTER IV 

The Battle with Winged Men 23 

CHAPTER V 

The King's Guest 24 

CHAPTER VI 

Trip to South Continent 30 

CHAPTER VII 

The Aeriolus deystroys porcupines with its Concave Glass 32 

CHAPTER VIII 

The Terrestrian Travelers are Invited to the 

Observation Tower 39 

CHAPTER IX 

Hunting Trip — Emerald Grotto — Artificial Rain 

Luminus Flowers 55 

CHAPTER X 

Radio Telephony to the Antipodes of Mars 62 

CHAPTER XI 

The Sibyl Interpretates the Answer from Jupiter 66 

CHAPTER XII 
Captain Marchy's New Projectile to Return to Mother Earth .... 71 

CHAPTER XIII 
25,000 Miles in 24 Hours by Traveling in the Air Current .... 72 
CHAPTER XIV 

Radio Telegraphy and Telephony Encircle the Globe 74 

CHAPTER XV 

Captain Marchy Melts, Turkish Warships and a 

German Submarine 81 

CHAPTER XVI 

The Martians shoot a shell to the Earth 84 

CHAPTER XVII 

Gold Fish skin, azur eyes, green hair, Martian maid is 

reflected from the Martian shell thru the stream of light .... 87 
CHAPTER XVIII 
Return to Miars , 92 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

1. The First eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 

2. The Aerilous. 

3. The Earth, the Moon and its inhabitants. 

4. A Martian girl at the fountain of youth. 




A 3np tfl iMans. 



PREFACE 



In tracing the source of Natural Motive Power, Bal- 
listic and electric magnetic energy, Etheric waves and 
Aerial currents, Volcanic force and Zoatical solar air 
electricity, I have been finally led to the recognition of) the 
sublime plans adopted by an Infinitely Intelligent Creator 
for perfecting the operation of the mechanism of his 
universe. The beautifully arranged scheme off the uni- 
verse, is readily discovered to be working with such order- 
ly and divine machine-like regularity that the descriptive 
appellation of "Mechanism of Heavens, " has been applied 
to them by Philosophers. 

No portion o§ matter of the universe is in an absolute 
state of rest. All the planets of the solar system are 
urged with a velocity similar to that of the Earth in -their 
respective orbits. 

Zodiacal light, which can be seen after sunset extend- 
ing from the Earth's horizon obliquely upwards, rising 
beyond the limits of the atmosphere of our earth and 
through the depths of space into the heavens as a nebulous 
cone of a dense atmosphere of electricity, excites our admir- 
ation. 

It is manifest, that no two planets encountered can 
cume into touch at the same time in connection with this 
beam of dense atmostjphere of electricity without causing 
a reciprocal influence causing mechanical action; and re- 



action; a flux and reflux penetrable between the earth and 
worlds like ours. The encounter of the two worlds in direct 
line of oiur Zodiacal light constitutes the most positive^ test* 
that can be adduced to prove that communications from our 
world and a world inhabited like ours has existed at all 
time. 

Marcus Aurelius says that Pharaoh, King of Egypt, 
communicated with his generals hundreds of miles off by 
despatching written letters to the disk of the Moon. 

Perhaps " people like us in worlds like ours have never 
ceased to try to communicate with us" although infinite 
intelligences are incapable ofj comprehending our world's 
messages or transmitting messages to them. Yet it affords 
an interesting view of the sublime Zodiacal nebula of dense 
atmosphere of electricity with the immediate scope to at- 
tempt to transmit messages through this electric current 
to 'people like us in worlds like ours at the same time and 
moment when the worlds like ours are in straight line with 
our Zodiacal beam of light, electricity and air. 

By following the guidance of this Zodiacal beam ex- 
tending from the earth upwards in the depths of space in 
the heavens, on the 15th of November 1918, Planet Mars 
appeared in conduction with our Zodiacal beam, which pro- 
pagated mechanical action through the medium of electric 
matter. It was then that Captain Marchy, in pursuing 
this electric current, startling as it may seem, and 
absolutely beyond the range of past human experience 
was guided to fly from the earth to the planet Mars, ac- 
complishing the trip of 45,000,000 miles in 4 minutes and 
21 seconds. 



Again Scientists appear to have lost sight of the part 
that volcanic eruptions have played in dealing with the ori- 
gin of Meteors, which fly at high velocity through space, and 
can be shown to be huge rocks blown out by dreadful 
eruptions of the volcanos of worlds like ours. But the 
fact is most significant, and must be considered that out of 
The huge rocks blown out by the now extinct volcano of 
Roccamonfina, in Italy the Collosseum was built, which is 
the largest edifice on earth. 

AVith the rocks blown out by Vesuvius the Appian 
Way, 150 miles long, was built. This fact establishes that 
rocks blown out by Vesuvius in the year 79 A. D. in falling 
150 miles distant from Naples to Rome, had been blown on 
trajectory. Evidently those rocks, which were blown 
straight up, had passed the orbit of the earth into space and 
never came back. 

On the summit of Mount Vesuvius, previous to the 
eruption, as the Antiquitate Italianorum says, there existed 
a swet-bath grotto like the famous one of Monsulmano 
(Toscany), Iron anforacunicas were used by the Romans to 
take sweat-baths.) 

Many surnamed it baby chicken in its shell. The burst- 
ing of the volcano threw high above the earth's surface the 
iron shells with the bathers. One of the shells was picked 
up up in the sea, but the others were blown so high that 
they never came back. The Sibyl of Cumae, who was sup- 
posed to have lived 1,000 years, was locked in one of these 
shells and never returned to earth. 

The terrific eruptions of the volcanos of Roccamonfina, 
Vesuvius. Strompoli and Etna, establish that Italy is the 



mother of many meteors, which fly, through space, and that 
some of the shells, as stated, may have landed in a world 
like ours. 

Historians appear to have lost sight of the Sibyl, a 
young woman of supernatural knowledge, whose temples 
are found throughout Italy. With the departure of the 
Sibyl, it is sad to note, angelic purity and true miracles 
died, Pulibus tells us that in this Prophetess' books the 
facts are cited to show that the frozen terrestrial region 
was caused by the dislocation of the terrestrial pole, and 
that the earth had inclined on one side with it. It was the 
Sibyl who, sold to Tarquin, the Proud, the Sibylline books. 
Her books were entrusted to a college of 15 men, who pre- 
served them and consulted them on occasions of national 
danger. The books were kept in the Temple of Jupiter at 
the Capitol. As no one lived on earth to the age of 1000 
years sinde Adam and Eve, it is manifest that the Sibyl 
was a pre-Christian messenger of the Creator, who depart- 
ed fr f om this world to dwell in a world like ours for thous- 
ands of years longer. 



A TRIP TO MARS 



A TRIP TO MARS 



CHAPTER I. 

The Encounter 



On the fifteenth of November 1918, Rubeus, re- 
sponded to the invitation of his friend, Marchy, at the log 
cottage near the Hindu village. It was just when the clock 
struck nine at Mount Hamilton Observatory that Marchy 
raised the curtain of his window and on sighting Rubeus 
opened the door and saluted him as follows. 

"My brave friend, Rubeus, J am very happy to see that 
you kept your promise." 

Very fortunate am I to be able to attend, worthy col- 
league. Too long the curator of the hindu village enter- 
tained me and let me assure you that I am very desirous 
of hearing the practicability of your plans." 

"Have you faith in my genius, my good friend 
Rubeus?" "I am almost ignored by the scientific world." 
continued Marchy. 

"Yes, worthy friend, answered Rubeus, that is the 
world's way for you know that from the time arts have 
beeq revolutionized by the efforts of individual men. 
Often men not brought up to the art, but practicing in a 
very different occupation have done the trick. Arkright, 
a barber, revolutionized the art. of; spinning. Cartwright, 
a clergyman, revolutionized the art of weaving. Watt, a 
maker of mathematical instruments, revolutionized every 
industry. Roland Hill, a schoolmaster, revolutionized our 



A TRIP TO MARS 



communications by devising the penny post, and I am con- 
vinced that though you confine yourself to your particular 
lines, you could enter upon some grand experiment worthy 
of the nineteenth century.' ' 

A profound silence ensued, and Marchy, in an emphatic 
tone, continued as follows: "Man seems to be the supreme, 
mentally elastic organism. He develops by trying novel- 
ties and by taking new paths. No one knows to what 
extent he may develop, but everyone knows that through 
acquisition of knowledge, or production of it, he may 
transcend any physical limits. We ought to see that every- 
thing distinguishing our lives from those of savages has 
come firom studying something new. Now my good friend, 
Rubeus, before we enter upon theobject, let me read to you 
an editorial item by Mr. H. Gernsback published by the 
Electrical Experimenter. Now listen, A few weeks ago 
Macaroni startled the world by stating that he had often 
received strong wireless signals which seemed to come from 
beyond the earth. This was concerning a recent interview 
published in the New York "Evening Post." Even today 
announcements such as the above are made light of by 
editorial writers and others of limited scientific preception, 
for the earthbound layman still persists that intelligence 
can only exist on earth. Such childish reasoning shows 
what sort of intelligence blossoms on this planet. 

It never occurs to these writers to question why 
Nature in her wisdom should have singled out the little 
speck called Earth on which to plant beings endowed with 
reason. Why should there be such an exception? Life 
in some form or other is certain of being found on myriads 



A TRIP TO MARS 



of worlds throughout the Universe, and if one world dies, 
all life does not die with it. Savant Arrhenius shows us 
how life-bearing spores are carried l)y the pressure of light 
through interstellar space, notwithstanding the absolute 
zero which prevails there. Conditions on Mars we know by 
direct observation as well as deduction are favorable for 
life, and we may be certain that it exists there, and if we 
once grant this, we must also grant that it must have ex- 
isted for hundreds of thousands of years prior to that on 
Earth, Consequently Martian civilization must be thou- 
sands of years ahead of ours. Suppose the Martians had 
sent us radio messages only thirty years ago we would 
have had no means of recording them, as at that time de- 
tectors and audions were undreampt ofi. 

"That is very logical, my worthy friend, answered 
Rubeus with enthusiasm. 

"Don't you think it possible, worthy Rubeus?" 

"The word imjpossible has long been cancelled from the 
vocabulary, " replied Rubeus. 

I have the honor, my worthy friend, to reveal to you 
my project to establish a communication and take a trip 
to this sidereal world, "Mars we call it." 

"Go ahead, worthy colleague, I am here to listen to 
you with ardent desire of accompanying you to the limit." 

"Your proposition," continued Rubeus, reminds me of 
a story often heard at Rome by old people, and was ofi the 
following nature Sweat baths were largely used by the 
old Romans and they had established a bathing of this 
sort in a grotto at Pompeii on the summit of a nearby 
mountain. They indulged in the heat by descending into 



8 A TRIP TO MARS 

the grotto in huge hollow shell of sheet iron locked air- 
tight, called anphora cunica and fixed on an arch and 
pulley. In the year 79 A. D. dreadful volcanic eruption 
took place suddenly, and the nt burst threw up great 

quantities of rocks to a heig. such that the moon's and 
sun's light was totally obscured for two days throughout 
Naples, and the huge shell and its bathers were carried so 
high that they disappeared into space and never- returned. 
The occupant was Attilius Marte, a Roman Patrican. Rocks 
ashes and smoke were carried not only to Rome, but also 
beyond the Mediterranean into Africa. The one thousand 
asteroids, that have been discovered up to the present day, 
might account iior their journeys in the infinite, some of 
them grouped so closely together that they appeared to 
have just been blown up by that dreadful eruption of Mount 
Vesuvius. Asteroids are discovered to be simply japped 
rocks, hurtling through space, whirling round and round 
I am of the opinion that the origin of their departure is from 
Mount Vesuvius and that the iron bathing case, with man 
inside, must have been attracted by magnetic pull from 
Planet Mars, Moon, Jupiter or other planets. This might 
account for the knowledge of these peopleup there of our 
existance on this earth. Why do we receive wireless sig- 
nals firom them? "Nothing could be more proper/ ' ex- 
claimed Marchy. "It took Barbicane 1'600 ? 000 lbs. of pow- 
der to fire its 30,000 lbs., weight projectile to the Moon, the 
bursting of Mount Vesuvio quadrupled'it in force, blowing- 
up an iron case weighing only about 500 lbs., man and all. 
"Perfectly correct/' said Rubeus, but you are not to 
fire a huge cannon to reach Planet Mars, are you worthy 




EC z* 






c — . 



*^ 73 






A TRIP TO MARS 



colleague? " Certainly not," repied Marchy. 

The bombardment of Paris, during the recent world 
war, at a distance of 120 kilometers, has put into activity 
the inventive qualities of the students of the ballistics. 
Here revives another dream ofj Jules Verne, showing what 
he developed when making his trip to the moon. A French 
scientist, M. Moreax, Director of the Bougas Observatory, 
examined the question under various points of view. In 
harmony with the laws of Newton, a (projectile fired on the 
summit of a high mountain with a velocity of 7900 meters 
per second, the projectile would pass the center of our globe 
and return to the point of departure after one hour, twenty- 
four minutes and forty-two seconds. 

Hudson Maxim has said that it is possible to build a 
gun that could shoot a projectile so high that it would act- 
ually pass beyond the limit of the earth's attraction. In 
other words, the shell might get so far away that no longer 
affected by gravity it would pass out into the void of space 
and never return. 

In a detailed scientific discussion of the German long 
range gun, which bombarded Paris, Major J. Matland 
Addison, writing in the Journal of the Royal Artillery, 
takes a peep into the future and considers the possibility 
of a gun capable of shooting projectiles entirely off the 
earth into space. When we are able to increase five miles 
per second, the projectiles will travel around the earth, 
as a grazing satellite, completing its orbit between 17 and 
18 times daily, with a velocity of about seven miles a 
second and will move off into space, never to return . 

The calculations of these eminent authorities on bal- 



10 A TRIP TO MARS 

listics show that by this method of velocity and altitude 
a projectile would surpass the rotation of the earth. In 
harmony with these authorities I am convinced that it is 
an adequate method to produce luminous projectiles, which 
if fired every minute for 48 hours would naturally form 
a circle around the earth like the rainbow shining bril- 
liantly and under the rays of the moon and the sun, when 
the horizon sinks below the sun, they would move with us 
with the rotation of the earth ; travelling one after another 
in an endless chain. 

This phosphorescent arc, would show sufficient spark 
to guide sailors at sea and men on land to travel more 
safely. I have designed a shell that can be loaded with a 
thick crystal ball, about the size of a street electric globe 
charged with phosphorus. The shell, on reaching the limit 
of its trajectory, w^ouldact like a shrapnell, forcing the 
crystal ball out by a powerfjul spring, the shell dropping 
after having given the crystal ball a blowout. The latter 
hahdng been directed to its pathway, free from external 
casing, would travel, showing all its brilliancy in darkness 
and the rays of the moon ; and the sun, when falling upon 
it, would be refracted into a partly colored arc. 

A high trajectory projectile, mentioned by Maxim and 
Maitland, that would move off into space, never to return, 
could be utilized by another invention of mine, consisting 
of a shell loaded with a magnetized stell ball, actioned 
similarly to the crystal one described above. This second 
ball, is designed to conceal written messages addressed to 
the inhabitants of the Planet Mars. This projectile, on 
reaching the height of 45 miles, being beyond the earth's 



A TRIP TO MARS 11 

attraction, would be attracted by Planet Mars. The inhab- 
itants of that Planet could open the ball and find our 
message. 

The possibility of firing a magnetized projectile into 
space and receive a powerfjul attraction by other Planets 
is demonstrated by the fact that every fragment of load- 
stone, when broken from its natural bed, exhibits a north 
and south pole, having all the characteristic properties of 
develqping mechanical action, just the same as the poles 
exhibit their attraction on magnets on the earth. Obser- 
vation on magnetic needles show that they are subject to 
sudden starts from their usual north and south positions. 
This fact shows that there exists a general cause of mag% 
netic force affecting, simultaneously, all parts oft the earth, 
and that magnetic impluse of mechanical force, in relation 
both to direction and intensity, are in a state of continual 
fluctuation, being scarcely stationary from one minute to 
another. The natural power of magnetic attraction be- 
tween other Planets and the earth are discussed in treat- 
ises on natural motion. 

In Captains Scoresby's account of remarkable ethereal 
phenomena accompanying a hail-storm, experienced by the 
packet ship New York, he states that the sea was in con- 
tinual boiling agitation, as if acted upon by numerous 
submarine volcanoes. All knives and fprks on shipboard 
were rendered strongly magnetic;, one of them being rend- 
ered capable of lifting a piece of iron, weighing 228 grains. 
The magnetizing of steel being familiar effect producible 
by electric action. This remarkable phenomena appears 



12 A TRIP TO MARS 

to be ascribable to the excitation of electro-dynamic impul- 
ses.. 

Experimenters in Physics have found that the velocity 
of magnetic attraction is about 250,000 miles per second. 
La Tribuna, a leading paper in Rome, illustrates methods 
of natural attraction between Planet Mars and a ;mag* 
netized steel torpedo placed in a well 16 yards deep, walled 
with a magnetized steel tube. This magnetized torpedo 
would be attracted by natural magnetic force, and without 
changing its course the torpedo would reach Mars in 4 
minutes and 21 seconds. 

Suppose four men would take a trip into the torpedo, 
they could return to the earth, at the place of departure, 
by digging another well in Mars and putting the torpedo 
16 yards deep, when the earth in turn would draw the 
torpedo back with, similar force and velocity. 

Natural motive power of attraction between the other 
planets and the earth remain so yet imperfectly understood 
that human intellect is involved in a labyrinth of difficul- 
ties similar to those in the time of Seneca and his theory 
concerning another continent of the globe, and the pos- 
sibility of| approaching it ; possibilities involved in intricate 
difficulties until Columbus, who proved that Seneca's 
theory was a truthful doctrine. The moon's attraction in 
drawing the ocean waves, moving masses of water, dislocat- 
ing rock weighing hundreds of tons, directing its march 
toward shore, and the open area of the bay, proves that the 
law of attraction is not mistaking. Drawing of light foliage 
of trees and other terrestrial objects while it is found to 
be restless, gravitation ofi the earth draw them all back 



A TRIP TO MARS 13 

within its atmosphere which is found to be 45 miles high 
surrounding it, consequently the earth is found to be a 
huge magnet. 

The masses of the other planets, such as Mars and the 
Moon, are greater consequently an object of the earth as- 
cending beyond its attraction, say 45 miles high, the at- 
traction power of the other planets will draw the object 
with more force, therefore, making it move with greater 
speed toward them. The atmosphere is found to be dense 
near the surface of the earth and rarer in high zone, so 
much that at a height of 10,000 yards the rarefaction is 
such that man would be asphyxiated. If there was no air 
we would be blinded by the sun. In fact, before the light 
and heat of the sun reaches us it has to illuminate and heat 
the air. Suppose a concave glass of an enormous size could 
be brought at the height of 45 miles. It would collect the 
rays of the sun so hot that it could render the frozen water 
in the Hudson Bay in steam boiling water and change 
winter into summer in that region. This theory is sub- 
stantiated by the fact that M. de Villette's burning g 4 lass 
was only three feet in diameter and it burned at low ground. 
B y it were melted silver and copper pennies in a few 
minutes and that of Buffon, with the faint rays of the sun 
in the month of March, he set on fire boards of wood at 150 
feet distance. 

It is self-evident that a concave glass brought to such 
a height would render future wars impossible, because 
shells would burst before they were loaded into guns.For 
such service, burning glass of a few feet in diameter well- 
directed on an enemy's front would affect his destruction, 



14 A TRIP TO MARS 

What would render this concave glass more advantageous 
than this would be on night service ; suppose the glass 
could be made to travel 45 miles high, beyond the earth's 
orbit. The concave glass would collect the bright rays of 
the sun and direct a beam of light so clear that it would 
change night into day on a good tract of the earth. 

In treating the possibility of a flight ofi this glass, 45 
miles high, we will return to obey the law of physics and 
see whether physics will obey the will or power of human 
mind. 

Areoplanes have proven so effective in the past years 
that they have won world-wide recognition, but adverse 
conditions of all kinds of weather, the areoplane, after all, 
is nothing more than a bird in the air, flying by the use of 
its wings. 

It is self-evident that if an areoplane can fly in the air 
by the use of propellers as rapidly as 150 miles an hour, 
not reaching an altitude of 21,000 feet, a new method 
should be adopted to run thousands of miles per hour at 
an altitude of many miles, beyond the earth's attraction, 
which is about 45 miles high. In ascending to an altitude 
of 40 miles, the motor could be stopped and a new device 
could be exposed for planetary attraction, and this attract- 
ion would produce a natural motion known under the laws 
of physics as natural magnetic power. This natural power, 
according to philosophers of physics, has a velocity of 
250,000 miles per second. "Do you see," my friend Rubeus 
. — there is my ariplane ! "yes! but how does it run?" 

The principle ofi this airplane is the drawing of heat 
from the sun's rays into a thick crystal covered tank. The 



A TRIP TO MARS 15 



water when once heated, passes into a sulphur dioxid 
boiler, and eventually this water returns to the glass 
heating tanks exposed to the sun's rays. The scheme 
of this solar jpower is that I w T ill be able to run 
my engine and dynamo without storage batteries. 
When the glass revolves towards the sun by a 
regulating device, the heated water runs from these storage 
tanks into the sulphur dioxid engine and boiler system. 
Sulphur dioxid, as is well known, has a low boiling point, 
so that it can be placed in the boiler and heated up, allow- 
ing the hot water to come into contact with the boiler tubes 
containing the sulphur dioxid. When the sul|phur dioxid in 
the boiler commences to boil, then the necessary sulphur 
dioxid steam is obtained wherewith to run the engine. So 
you see, insted of using the fire to make steam in the boiler, 
hot water is used instead, which originally obtained its heat 
from the sun directly. As the sulphur dioxid steam leaves 
the engine cylinder it is repumped back again into the 
boiler to be heated all over again by the hot water coming 
from the sun tank. Free energy power plants in the south- 
ern part of the United States and the sun power plant of 
M r.H. E, Willsie proves that the water will remain hot 
from four to ten days when stored in the tanks by insulat- 
ed layers of dry sand an engine and dynamo will run at 
night. Mr. Willsie 's solar plant in Arizona has produced 
electric light at night, which was actually made by the 
rays of the sun shining during the preceding day. 

"Yes, I believe you" — the aeriolus could not be more 
perfect Captain! it reminds me of the nautilus of Jules 
Vera and a German submarine ! Yes Rubens— this areiolua 



16 A TRIP TO MARS 

is a locked hull similar to a submarine — the oxygen tanks 
are fitted within the aeriolus for the purpose of supplying 
us with oxygen during the time that we are confined there- 
in. The helicopter, the prow and the side propellers have 
a larger volume of air to work upon and are capable of 
lifting their full load without wings. Do you see the 
units of short little guns under the prow? "Yes." Well — 
by firing them continually, the aeriolus would as'cend in a 
vacum for the same reason that a gun would kick if fired 
in ;a vacuum and that the propelling force would be a 
continued kick. The hull is fitted with binoculars, electric 
heater, cold gelatine, electric lights, and is housed with all 
modern comforts. 

' ' Captain I am anxious to fly with you to Europe, Asia 
and back. 

' ' Well will you take a seat." "Sure I will" 

Are you seated 

"Yes Captain, I am. 

CHAPTER II. 
First Trip 

Captain Marchy steered the aeriolus straight ahead. 
San Jose, then Palo Alto, and next San Mateo is observed. 
Their attention is drawn to a bay, ending with the Pacific 
Ocean. This, they are phoned, is San Francisco Bay, and 
that landing is to be made. Suddenly the water becomes 
steaming hot. A large crowd of people is heard to make 
the remark that they are feeling warm, saying that winter 
has been turned into summer. Many prespiring in this 
sweltering heat jump into the bay to take a swim. When 
the aeriolus apperas, in descending direction, a cover is 



A TRIP TO MARS 17 

turned over the concave glass and the burning sun is nul- 
led. Descending on the bay, they are overwhelmed by the 
crowd oft curious people, who were swimming toward the 
floating Aeriolus. The people were skeptical, for whoever 
heard of summer heat in the winter season, [produced by 
an areoplane, but being Americans, in view of what happens 
every day, they are naturally convinced. 

"All aboard for Planet Mars", exclaims the command- 
er. 

"What is wrong with you fellows?" 

One remarks, "this confounded trip to the Moon and 
Mars is an old dream, and a great joke perpetrated on the 
public. 

"Are you an astronomer, Sir?" 

"Yes, you bet I am." 

Would you like .to ride with us to Mars ? ' ' 

"Yes, I'll go with you fellows." 

CHAPTER III 

Trip to Mars 

The aeriolus rapidly starts to rise into the air. Tlhe 
travelers, full of hope, gaze peacefully through the crystal 
windows, whilst the aeriolus, under an uniformly speed, 

crosses the sky. Out into vacuum. "Bam , Bam , 

Bam ! Volley of the muskettery went on, and on 

kicking its way through space tremendously. During which 
time the Professor looked over the compasses and found 
them to mark the velocity running at 186,324 miles per 
second. -He then began to work out figures with unparral- 
led dexterity, looking seriously at the captain, and remark- 
ed. 



18 A TRIP TO MARS 

' 'Why, Captain, the Aeriolus, is simply falling upon 
Mother Earth, caused by your stopping the ringer and the 
speed at which it. is falling is enough to punch a well large 
enough so it would sink into the bowels of the earth. 

The Captain and Rubeus could not help laughing. "Do 
voxjl know what I am doing. " 

"No, I do not," answered the Professor quite seri- 
ously. 

"I am using the magnetized globe for planetary at- 
traction. The Professor then looked at the glasses and 
discovered the disc of a strange world appearing at a dis- 
tance of 40 miles. 

"We are falling," said the Professor, quite frightened. 

"Very well, old Professor, I shall now make use of the 
engine. The propellers will row in the air, surrounding 
Mars, and we will descend gracefully on to the new world. 

"Nothing could be easier", replied Rubeus, "but be- 
fore we descend I am curious to know how our aeriolus 
will act in a parabola, travelling as grazing satellite round 
this new planet." "No" answered the Professor, in a 
serious tone. "This is a good opportunity to observe the 
other side of Mars," answered Rubeus. It was then ten 
minutes past two in the afternoon. The Aeriolus was fol- 
lowing its curvation round Mars. The Captain requested 
his colleagues to observe two chains of mountains striped 
along plains enclosing two channels, wonderfully extending 
over immense large plains covered with ever-green vegeta- 
tion. These mountains formed an orography similar to 
Italy, thereby making it a world fit to live in. The trav- 
ellers could see two craters on the summit of two mountains, 



A TRIP TO MARS 19 

one ending at the north and the other at the South of the 
channel, emanating a column of vapor similar to a flush 
of cyclonic air current at an interval of) 6 hours, similar to 
the ocean tide flowing high and low. 

The Professor said that the blowing of the air proved 
that such air tide was formed by means' of a current, which 
ceaselessly flowed from north to south through the canyon 
between the two chains of mountains, the velocity of which 
surpassed several miles per second, running through sub- 
terranean channels, and when it rises in one mountain 
ciat.er its flux forms a reflux in the other crater 
Captain observed that the thermometer marked intensive 
heat over this hot air vapor. 

"Ah", exclaimed Rubeus, "nature has provided this 
world with natural heat. Mars the center of his 
orbit is no less than 13,000,000 miles from the sun. The! 
light and heat received from that luminary vary to an 
important extent. In fact, Mars gets about half as 
much heat and light as the earth. The fact that hot vapors 
are flushed in many mountains, valleys and craters on land 
w;ould indicate the process of the formation of hot clouds, 
a process by which Nature arranges and modifies the tem- 
perature similar to the best climatic regions on the earth. 
Surely, this charming planet must be tenanted by living 
creatures and beings belonging to the highest order of an- 
imated existence. Professor Emanuel, look over your Chart 
of Mars and try to locate the continents, oceans and chan- 
nels designed by our Astronomers. 

1 ' Captain, we are flying over the so-called long Maraldi 
Sea. Maraldi Sea runs into Hooke Sea, trending dn a 



20 A TRIP TO MARS 

northwesterly direction, and so running into Dawes Ocean. 
Farther west are two vast islands, which are called Jacob 
Island and Phillips Island, between which runs Ar^ago 
Strait.. Beyond these islands lies la Rue Ocean, commun- 
icating by narrow straits with two strikingly similar seas. 
Here* the zone of water ends, and we have only to note 
further respecting it that in De la Rue Ocean there is a 
large island, which presents such a brillant aspect that it 
seems to be covered with Radiosand. This is called Dawes' 
Island.. There is Herschel I. Continent. Next is Dawes 
Continent, separated from that long sea called Kaiser Sea. 
Don't get too close to the planet, Captain, spin of ft" 
"Why, Professor?" "There is a shower of meteorites, by 
Jove I caught one, gee, it burned my glove." "Behave 
Professor, do not thrust your hand out." "You see, Cap- 
tain this meteor is composed of alloys of nickel, iron and 
chiefly of white and black diamonds." "Yes, Professor, 
I have been on Coon Mountain Crater in Northern Arizona 
and I saw the same meteorites strewn concentrically around 
the crater, covering about five miles of the mountain and 
they are composed of the same chemical elements." "Yes, 
I saw that my friends, said Rubeus. Coon Mountain, or 
Meteor Crater itself is a round hole about six hundred feet 
deep and about four thousand feet in diameter and was 
formed, it is believed, by the impact of a huge meteorite, 
which has never been found. It is believed that the Canyon 
Diablo Meteorites, of which there are found hundred in- 
dividuals in the U. S. National Museum, were members of 
this same flail. It is possible that these meteorites that pro- 
duced the crater itself fell from Mars and struck the earth 



A TRIP TO MARS 21 



thousands of years ago." "Yes, Rubens, weak acid shows 
the polished section to contain iron sulphide, phosphide, 
graphide, but more abundantly white and black diamonds. ' ' 
"If that is the case, I will not be surprised if we shall find 
a deposit of diamonds as abundantly as mercury on the 
mountains of Almaden in California," said the Captain 
with a smile. Further West lies Madler Continent, separat- 
ed ftrom Dawes Continent by a long strait, which runs north 
and south. There is Secchi Continent, separated from Mad- 
ler Continent by Bessel Inlet and from Herschel Continent 
by Huggins Inlet. Now, before we return to the Southern 
Hemisphere, past the equatorial zone of continents, ther^ 
appears a zone of water, expanding at one point into Beer 
Sea, and at the other into Tycho Sea. There also appears 
a zone of land, called Laplace Land, with its large lake 
called Delambre Sea. That narrow zone of water is called 
Schroter Sea. 

Captain, I have heard the names of nearly all the Astro- 
nomers on Mother Earth with the exception of Schiappa- 
relli, Lowell and Pickering. What is the matter with that 
map anyhow? Wait until we get down there. I'm going 
to give those channels real names,. Do you know what I 
am going to name that sand down there, Rubeus? "No. 
I do not, Professor." "I am going to name it Radium." 

"What good is it to you anyhow?" "Why, radium 
gives ofif heat at the rate of 133 gram colories per hour, and 
you know, fjive ounces of that precious stuff, which you 
can hold in a thimble, would propel a passenger train of 
10 cars from one city to another, a distance of 900 miles by 
railroad. How many tons of coal do you think it takes to 



22 A TRIP TO MARS 

operate such a train 900 miles, making a 22-hour journey ? 
It requires 60 tons of coal to make one trip of 900 miles. 
What good is it to the Martians if they do not make use of 
passenger trains?" "Well, Rubeus, nature uses it. The 
effect, resulting from an increased heat of the sun's rays, 
produced by the calories of the radium-sand, is sufficient 
to retain the requisite excess of heat. The aerial currents 
uniform motion suffices to adjust conditions which the ex- 
cess of heat at the radium desert would otherwise tend to 
disturb. The propagation over a wide area of this planet \s 
surface of cyclonic or whirling winds serves as a rule to 
adjust the conditions, and in a thousand ways Nature's 
busy forces may be at work, providing there is a due sup- 
ply of wind and rain, distributing heat and cold, which 
acts in precisely the same manner as on Mother Earth, 
making this planet a world fit to live in. 

It was five minutes past nine. The Captain started 
the engine. 

"What, we are descending?" exclaimed Rubeus. 

"We are 20 miles from the surface," replied the Cap- 
tain. 

"Ah," exclaimed Rubeus, enthusiastically upon seeing 
a city, resembling that of Necropolis of Tarquinio. 
This city, built by the western shore of the channel, was 
constructed of diamond rocks, roofed with ruby tiles. The 
narrow streets were paved with green sapphire, the squares 
Avere adorned with myrtle and laurel trees and the low hills 
were covered with eternal vegetation. The load-stone 
rocky mountains constituted a barrier against the canals. 
Swift torrents, sweeping down the slopes of the mountain 



A TRIP TO MARS 23 

range, exhibited denuted extensive deposits of diamonds. 
The canyons cut into the solid ruby rocks to a depth of 
many yards, and were shadowed by vineyards. Along the 
valley of the channels the fertilities viewed by the travel- 
lers were very vast and produced fruit, resembling pine- 
apples and strawberries, the latter being as large as pump= 
kins. 

CHAPTER IV 
The Battle with Winged Men 

While the occupants of the Aeriolus were making ob- 
servations of the new world and the Captain was search- 
ing for a landing place, the Aeriolus was suddenly attacked 
by a flock of winged men, about the size of five year old 
boys, who began shooting at the Aeriolus with their arrows. 
Rubeus aimed the Brown's machine gun of 30,000 shots 
a minute, and a few hundred blanks were fjired toward 
them, which quickly disbanded the Martian warriors, but 
they soon returned in a storm by the hundreds, howling, 
"fugit, mortem, noli (prosequi in urbe, sine mora, fugit, 
fugit." "Let me use that machine gun with real stuff. 
By Jove, those lads are looking for trouble." 

"Do not excite yourelf, my dear colleague, replied the 
Captain, they are a Latin race of little fellows. Can't you 
understand Latin ?" "Go away, Captain," answered the 
Professor. "Tui generis, tui generis, ave generis bonum, " 
howls the Captain. "Ave ave," howls Rubeus. "Ave ave" 
howls the Professor. "Ave ave," answered all the little 
winged men in chorus, at the same time approaching the 
Aeriolus, amiable and happy. Then they formed a proces- 
sion and started to fly toward their City singing, their 



24 A TRIP TO MARS 

voices being so harmonious and sweet that the occupants 
of the Aeriolus looked at one another in astonishment and 
over joyment. 

CHAPTER V 
The King's Guest 

The Professor exclaimed. "Are those little fellows 
angels?" Is this world a [paradise? 

God be lauded," answered the Captain. Grateful, God, 
said Rubeus, what a fortune ! The Captain landed the 
Aeriolus on the largest square, then opened the door and 
the occupants stepped out and began looking round and 
round, admiring the sublimity of the City and its enchant- 
ing surroundings. Several thousands of) winged men from 
a blue sapphire rock house, roofed with purple diamond 
tiles, formed a line. The travelers were invited to pay a 
visit to their King and the strangers marched along the 
line of armed warriors and entered the house. 

"What" captain, the King is a regular sized man with- 
out wings? "Man from Mother Earth," said Rubeus. 
"Good God, he is," answered the Captain. 

The king on sighting the visitors diligently stepped 
toward them, grasping their hands and pronouncing an 
oratory worthy of Cicero. The king made a narrative 
story, telling them how he was blown up by a subterranean 
force in the year 79 A. D. while he was bathing in a grotto 
on Mount Vesuvius; also how he had instructed his little 
pecjple in the new world to speak the Latin language. The 
Captain inquired as to the length of time the people on 
Planet Mars lived. 

The king said. "The people on Mars live longer than 



A TRIP TO MARS 25 

the eagle on Earth, which is 5000 years and sometimes 
longer. 

Your Majesty, said the Captain, I beg to ask why 
Nature has made your people so beautiful. Their hair is 
bright like the fur on a seal; their wings are as pretty as 
the feathers on the paradise bird; their eyes are so lumin- 
ous that when they bath they give the surrounding waters 
vari-colored scintillating lights, producing a phos - 
phoroscent effect on the water. Why, they are equipped 
with feathers on their wings, but the rest of their bodies 
consists of skin similar to ours. Why they all look young 
and their teeth shine like diamonds. 

"God's gift, nature's gift." Answered the King. 
Look up in the sky, Captain, and tell me how large your 
Mother Earth appears, continued the King. The Captain 
looked up through the blue sapphire roof and said. 

"Mother Earth appears to be as large as a pea." 
"Very well, now ask one of my men to look at the Earth 
and tell you how large it appears to him." 

A close-by Martian was asked to look at the Earth, 
and he replied. "Planet Earth looks to me to be as large 
as this house. 

"Wonderful long eye-sight," answered the Captain. 

"Not only can my people see at an extreme long dis- 
tance, but they can see through your body," exclaimed the 
King. 

"They have x-ray eyes," said Rubeus. 
"Wonderful gift, said the Professor. 
The birds in the air, the animals in the forest and the 
fish in the water also have strong eye-sight and luminous 



26 A TRIP TO MARS 

at night/' continued the King. 

"By Jove, Captain our fire-flys on Mother Earth must 
have strong eye-sight, " said the Professor. 

"Keep silent," they are too small answered the Cap- 
tain. "Yes, but" grumbled the Professor. 

"Now take a look through the window, my dear ter- 
restrian friends and you shall see our nymphs," continued 
the King. "Those creatures are our inferior race, the 
same as your terrestrian negroes. Nature has not given 
them feathers on their wings and the fingers on their hands 
and the toes on their feet are webbed together just the 
same as your terrestrian bats. They can talk, sing swim 
and fly, and when they go on a high journey they make use 
of a large dry fish, resembling a bladder and anti gravi- 
tation shoes soon disappearing from sight. At times they 
'return, after having been gone months and relate to us 
strange things which they have seen in other worlds." 
"By Jove, Captain, said the Professor, I once saw one of 
thesie creatures in the Museum of Nevada. I believe that, 
answered Rubeus, very enthusiatically. I saw a document 
in the Museum of the Geographical Socitey of Paris and 
also read about it in the Bulletin of the Geographical 
Society ofl Milan, such creatures were seen by Duminicus 
Ducier, a French Monk of the Abbey of Besancon, in the 
Fourteenth Century, and this fact was printed in provent- 
ial dialect. I have a copy in my note book; let me read 
it to you. "Dominicus Docier, monaco, di Domremy, stud- 
ioso di antiche scripture di soa collectione disegnoe un 
mappamundu coa parte rotta dile acqua dil diluviu et 
termoti, dicta ( parte rotta trovoe logo a molta distanza nil 



A TRIP TO MARS 27 

m#re oceanus predieto da ilia insula Tullia Major et da 
dicta et insula Tullia minor. Havi foresta di erbe marem 
habitata da uceelli con cocuzzo come homo, capeli, ohi, 
horechi, naso, bucca co denti, co ali come scorpion et gambe 
come rane, no corpu. Dicto parla, canta, vola et nota, 
dicto va in delirio nil vidi marinai co nere vesti. ect ; Vidi 
cronaca di Besancon di Sancta madre chiexia ; dil, 20 majo. 
1439. Published, Milan, September 1st 1907. I wonder 
if they were these same creatures," exclaimed the Captain. 
These Martian aborigins have another way of reaching the 
other worlds, continued the King. All our drinking pit- 
chers are made by them. They also make things for their 
own use. They make a load-stone mud shell, which is dried 
hard. The shell is made with a door. The aborigin 
locks himself up in this shell and is carried by his compan- 
ions to the summit of a mountain, where there is a crater. 
They then fit the shell over the crater and wait for the 
current ofi air to blow it up. When the current reaches 
the crater the shell is blown up with such force that it 
passes into space, and as loadstone is a strong magnet the 
shell is pulled by magnetic attraction of some other Planet, 
and then our Martian aborigin travels over land and sea 
hunting for his preferred birds and fish and especially 
iittle grapes that grow on fugus natans (sea-weed,) of 
which he is very fond. The fish-skin bag is always car- 
ried by him and he makes use of it whenever he wishes to 
return to Mother Mars. "Now my dear terrestrian friends" 
continued the King, "step back into my dining room and 
have supper with me.Be seated on those red diamond long 
benches, as the ruby tables have been prepared with our 



28 A TRIP TO MARS 

food, I hope you will like it, said the King, smiling. 
"Very delicious, very delicious, very delicious," answer- 
ed the terrestrians. God, tliis is a paradise of food, ex- 
claimed the Professor. Some flavor, said Rubeus. "Extra 
good," answered the Captain. The Martian servants then 
served wine in large diamond mugs. 

"Salute," said the King. 

"Viva," answered the terrestrians. 

"Very delicious," said the Captain. "Some wine," 
answered Rubeus and the Professor. 

"Say, Captain, suppose we tell the King about pro- 
hibition on Mother Earth." 

"Keep silent, Professor, you always with your Amer- 
icanate. "Do you want to be thrown out of this Planet?" 
said the Captain seriously. 

"No wonder that these people live to be thousands of 
years old," exclaimed Rubeus. "This food is extremely 
nourishing and immensely agreeable. Talk about our pine- 
apples, our strawberries and our figs. Why, there is no 
comparison to this food, on Mother Earth," exclaimed the 
Captain. 

"Talk about our olives-these are most delicious," said 
Rubeus. 
This is our ground meat." 

"Eat some of* these mushrooms, my terrestrian friends. 

"God, but these are excellent," answered the Captain. 

You >see all these things grow natural and in large 
abundance," repeated the King. 

"Now my terrestrian friends, over there is your rest- 
ing room, sleep well." 



A TRIP TO MARS 29 

"Feather beds!" exclaimed the Professor. Good night 
all. 

The Captain is soon sound asleep. He dreams and 
imagines he is having a wireless communication with Mother 
Earth. He first starts by picturing in his mind how to 
send} a shell to the Earth, forcing it, to travel round and 
round in a dense stratus of etheric field in a grazing satel- 
lite. Then he would visualize systems comprising wireless 
c f $>paratus and transmit the message on the antennas on 
land. The images he sees are perfectly real and tangible t 
Rubeus is dreaming of the Adam of the Earth paradise. 
The Professor dreams of the Angels flying with him to 
heaven. 

The Professor awakes, raises his head, and says. "Cap=* 
tain, those little rascals are blowing the trumpet in the 
Aeriolus. Let us get up my worthy colleagues. It is day 
light, said the Captain. 

The Professor opens the door, runs out to the square 
and cries. ""What's all this noise, eh?" The Martian's 
fly away laughing. 

"You little rascals, you „," continued the Pro- 
fessor, clapping his hands loudly. 

"Professor don't howl at those boys," said the Captain 
seriously. 

Rubeus examines the Aeriolus and says. "Nothing 
wrong with the Aeriolus." 

The Captain grasps the hand of his colleague and re. 
-marks. "My dear friends, nothing will give us greater 
pleasure than to try to telegraph to our people on Mother 
Earth," 



30 A TRIP TO MARS 

"Why should we not," answered the colleagues." 
Mars Radio Station, go away, Captain, what Mars? Mars 
of Egypt?" 

"Oh, yes. How did you get up there? Bravo, Captain 

Inhabited? Men with wings? Bravo. Indeed Good 

God—— is that a fiact? Diamond Cities? What? Pos- 
sible?. Wonderful Veryplain, Captain. Yes. Go 

ahead," God be with you. Good-bye. 

When the Captain was busy telegraphing to Mother 
Earth a young prince arrived flying, carrying a note from 
the King. The Captain read it and said. "I should consid- 
er myself very fortunate to have thepleasure of taking his 
Majesty for a flight to the Ministry of Public Works out 
to Terra laboris." 

CHAPTER VI 
Trip to South Continent 

The prince then flew back to the royalpalace. Ten 
minutes later the King arrived, being carried in a wicker 
basket by twelve dignitaries, who were walking suspended 
in the air towards the Aeriolus. 

"Your Majesty, it gives me great pleasure to be able 
to take a flight with you." 

Well, dear Captain, It will be necessary for one of my 
men to go along, as we will travel though foggy regions 
and my man can see many miles ahead through the fog." 

"Yes, your Majesty, your man shall be our pilot." The 
Aeriolus is started to run at at a speed of 100 miles per 
hour. 

It was two hours since it left Alba, the capitol. At 
eight o 'clock a fogy region was reached, above a large lake. 



A TRIP TO MARS 31 

The pilot pointed to the Southeast, where there was a large 
sea, connecting with the lake by several channels. The 
Professor promptly pointed the binocular towards the sea ? 
but after a search, he grumbled. "That bird has x-ray 
eyes for sure. Half an hour later, when the Professor was 
still gazing into the distance with his glass in his hand, 
he remarked in a ringing voice! "Forest, forest! Flocks 
of curious monkeys, carrying small shovels, were seen work- 
ing the ground of the marvelous fields of cultivated land 
near the forest. Innumerable flocks of birds were flying 
over these fields. Some of them had such beautiful feathers 
that the travelers exclaimed. "Nature loves this world 
better than ours !" The monkeys walked on their hind legs, 
and had wings like the terrestrian seal. Their fur was 
green and their heads were like our terrestrian cats, with 
long beards under their chins. The travelers were aston-^ 
ished when they looked at the fields and saw that the 
monkeys were cultivating the land. The Captain exclaims, 

"Your Majesty, kindly tell us why those monkeys 
work the land? 

"Ah, those monkeys are our slaves. They work for us. 
Look in the forest, there you will see my men in the tall 
trees, armed with bows and arrows, watching these mon- 
keys.' ' 

"Yes, indeeed," answered the Captain. Then your 
men do not work. "Yes, Captain, they work one hour each 
day with the exception of Sundays. Let us go direct to 
their factories, and I shall show you how they operate their 
machinieries. ' ' 

The Aeriolus was running fast, As the water in the 



A TRIP TO MARS 



lake was cradling on the diamond gravels, the Professor 
takes a peep with the binocular and exclaimed. "Oh, you 
kid!" 

Rubeus answered. "What is wrong with you, Profes- 
sor Emmanuel? Ah, you see I thought I saw Professor 
Campbell, of Lick Observatory, grazing his fiorty inch tel- 
escope. No, by Jove, it is the Moon of Mars reflecting in 
the w^ater. There are the other ones, Deimos and Phobos, 
just as our terrestrian Astronomers call them. They ap- 
pear larger than the Moon that shines on Mother Earth." 

"Perhaps the diamond gravel bed of the lake enlarges 
the Moons," answered Rubeus, 

"Must be so," said the Professor. "Lightning! light- 
ning ! ' ' exclaimed the Captain excitedly. 

CHAPTER VII 

The Aeriolus Deystroys porcupines with its Concave Glass 



"No Captain. We are tormented by an invasion from 
the north of many thousands of toad porcupines. Their 
skin is hard, similar to that of the terrestrial crocodile. 
These swine chew up everything. My men are using a gun, 
shooting lightning on trajectory, but you know trajectory 
is a difficult {problem, it kills but is very slow." 

I ask your Majesty ifj the swine join in flocks." 
"Yes, Captain, they usually flock by the thousands." 
Will your Majesty allow me to destroy them?" "How 
can you worth, Captain?" 

"Your Majesty will show me where the swine are and 
I will show you how quickly I can destroy them," 



A TRIP TO MARS 



Very well Captain. Let us go direct to that large 
field. There they are, see, near that river. Oh, yes. Let 
us fly up forty- five miles and I will fix them. ' ' 

After twenty minutes the Aeriolus reached the desired 
altitude. The sun was extremely hot. 

"Now, your Majesty, look through the telescope." Do 
you see the swine? 

Yes, Captain, I see them jumping and struggling. I 
see them in spasms ! I see them roasting ! they are dying ! 
they are dying by the thousands' Well we will keep on 
spinning. After ten minutes ! the King exclaimed. 

"There isn't one pig left, they are all dead!" 

The King grasped the hand of Captain Marchy and 
said. "I must praise you, worthy Captain, for having 
destroyed the enemy ofs my people. 

This was the proper altitude for the Aeriolus to collect 
the rays of the sun in order to burn anything disturbing 
human generation on Mars. Directly North East lay the 
Campanian desert, resembling the western zone of the 
United States of America, covered with red sand. Every- 
where on its surface showed ample oasis of cultivated land 
under eternal vegetation. A little to the East rose the 
Ausania, the highest mountain in Terra Laboris, which re- 
vealed itself as a plain [projecting eastward from the 
diamond coast enveloping the Marian Sea. Suddenly 
while the travelers were admiring the brilliancy ofi the 
mountain, which was sparkling its diamonds and rubies in 
the' full blaze of the morning sun over the plain, an ex- 
plosion attracted the immediate attention of the travelers. 
They instantly looked down and saw to their suprise that 



34 A TRIP TO MARS 

hundred of cannons, in formed batteries, many miles apart, 
were firing. 

"There is war!" cried the Captain. 

' ' The enemy is marching toward the South ! ' ' cried the 
King. My armies are breaking up, no hope ! no hope ! 
They are moving their batteries toward the South, the 
ground is lost. I hope they will hold out until we get 
there!" answered the Captain. The Aeriolus began spin- 
ning directly for the battle-ground. The enemy had thou- 
sands of cannons. 

"No hope!" cried the King. 

"Never despair! Majesty," cried the Captain solemnly 
directing the spinning glass of the Aeriolus down 
towards the enemy's batteries. 

A terrible explosion threw up an immense portion of 
ground and rocks into the air. 

"The cannons are melting!" cried the King. The 
enemies are running ! running ! running ! My victorious 
enemies are running, running, running ! My victorious 
armies are celebrating the victory." 

"Hurrah f s or the King," cheered the travelers. 

The sensation of the occupants of the Aeriolus had 
now reached the highest pitch of exaltation. They felt 
like the old Romans conquering Gallia, for which they had 
been fighting for years. The king ordered them to fly 
toward the south for a resting jpiace. Suddenly the Aer- 
iolus in flying straight through the indicated place met 
some obstacles. 

"Strange," exclaimed the Captain. 

"Turn north, Captain," answered the King. "We 



A TRIP TO MARS 35 

have reached 2000 miles from the war region. Here is the 
South Sea. There beneath us is constructed a ring around 
the equator, which floats freely in spinning motion by re- 
actionary force, running our transportation and working 
machineries at the rate of one thousand miles an hour. 
You see the Aeriolus is effected by magnetic force of that 
enormous ring." 

"This is a miracle of a discovery/' answered the tra- 
velers, in astonishment. 

The Aeriolus then begins to fjy in a northerly di- 
rection. At last the King orders them to stop and descend, 
A large City, consisting of low and long-narrow diamond 
rock houses, is pointed out by the King. The Aeriolus 
landed on a large round square, twelve winged Martians 
approached the Aeriolus, carrying a chair. The King is 
seated and carried to the Ministry of Public Works. Two 
Martins approached the Aeriolus with a note from the 
King. The ocqpants of the Aeriolus march toward the hall 
of the Ministry and are met by the King and twenty wing- 
ed men, who were from the Ministry of Public "Works. 

"Ave, ave, " cheered all the Martians. 

"Ave viva!" answered the Captain and his colleagues. 

The King made a long commendation, which was 
answered by the Martians with an ovation and sympathetic 
admiration for the terrestrian visitors. A most delicious 
dinner was served, which consisted of oysters, frogs, mush- 
rooms, olives, pineapples, like fjruit, figs and other species 
of grapes and old wines. It was about one o' clock P. M. 
when the terrestrians had finished dinner and were taken 
to see the works. Suddenlv the bell of the Aeriolus start- 



36 A TRIP TO MARS 

^d to sound dreeeeeeee, Ah, ha ! exclaimed the Captain re- 
joiced. He walked toward the Aeriolus, with telephone in 
his hand and opened the door. 

"Yes, yes," Captain Marchy. Yes, where are you? 
Planet Mars. This is the San Francisco Examiner. Yes. 
The Presidents of the Aviation Clubs of London, Paris, 
Rome, Madrid, Jajpan, Australia, Bonsaries, Mexico' Mon- 
treal and New York. The Directors of the Observatories 
of Florence, Paris, Bourgas, London, Japan, Mount "Wilson, 
Mount Lowell and Mount Hamilton (Lick) are already 
with telephones in their hands, waiting to hear you talk 
about your discovery on Mars. Will you kindly tell us 
something about it? All the newspaper Editors of the 
globe are ready to listen. The Editor of La Tribuna, il 
Mattino, il Corriere, il Messaggiero, Le Petit Parisian, Je 
so tut. Saint Paul Gazet, Berlin Zetung, New York Amer- 
ican, the World, St. Louis Globe, Star, San Francisco 
Chronicle, Call, Tribune, San Jose Mercury and every other 
paper on Mother Earth. Captain Marchy answered. 

"Gentlemen," the Aeriolus reached Planet Mars in 4 
minutes and 21 seconds, travelling at the electric rate of 
186,324 miles a second. This planet is an extremely beau- 
tifiul world. Its mountains are composed of soft diamonds 
and its plains are fertile and cultivated. Its inhabitants 
are of supernatural beauty, resembling angels having 
wings. They live in small round tojpped diamond and ruby 
houses. The streets are paved with sapphire stones. The 
mountains are rocky diamonds and some of their slopes 
are rocky rubies, covered with eternal vegetation. The 
Praries are like our Western American deserts, resembling 



A TRIP TO MARS 37 

California, but the oasis is often thousands of miles in ex- 
tent, making fine natural pasture for great herds of dome- 
j tic ox, resembling buffalo. The barrens are over- 
grown with forests of olives, chestnuts, very large oranges, 
figs and pineapples. The same pine and numerous growth 
of laurel, myrtle, pine and unknow T n plants. The plains 
are pineapples, overgrown with cypress, and many unknown 
plants. The region of the eastern continent consists of 
brillant red clay, mixed with diamond sand. Connected 
with the same diamond rock formation is the bursting forth 
of numerous channels, appearing like eruptions of subter- 
raneous streams, suddenly emerging firom red labyrinthhs 
underneath, through which they have long crept. There 
are many cypress barrens, but among them are gentle emin- 
ences of fertility, supporting a vigorous growth of hickories 
and pine, while numerous streams flow through the country 
or expand into beautiful lakes. My colleagues have des- 
cribed the water in these canals and lakes as pellucid, that 
the nympths seem swimming in the air and the stars in 
heaven shine with brilliancy greatly enlarged. Groves of 
very large roses cover immense tracts, bending beneath the 
weigt of their vivid yellow flowers, filling the air with per- 
fume. All the fruits known and strange to us flourish 
here and their flavors are extremely excellent. All the 
animals have wings like terrestrian seals, but they do not 
fly. Birds are mostly similar to terrestrian pheasant. The 
aborigin people of the country are beautiful creatures, hav- 
ing wings like terrestrian bats, capable of invincible swift 
flight. The climate is similar to that of California and 
Italy. Cold at the poles. The Martians run their fiact- 



38 A TRIP TO MARS 

ories by prepetual motion, but work only one hour each 
day with the exception of Sundays. They speak a univer- 
sal language and are very friendly. The Martians had a 
w r ar, but I settled it. They live to a great age, 5000 years 
and sometimes longer. I will return to Mother Earth with- 
in a few day, making the trip in 4 minutes and 21 seconds. ' ' 
"Bravo, viva, hurrah," answered they, Professor Emanuel 
and Rubeus approached the Aeriolus with some anxiety. 
Captain Marchy promptly saluted his colleagues, announc- 
ing to them that radio telegraphy had encircled Mother 
Earth and that w T ireless communications had been received 
at the Aeriolus from all parts of the terrestrian globe, from 
Italy, Japan, Australia, Argentine, Brazil, the United States 
Canada, Russia, Norway, England, Germany, Austria, 
Prance, Spain, Portugal, Egypt, Persia, India and China. 

Viva, viva ! the Aeriolus, ' ' answered the Professor and 
Rubeus enthusiastically, being elated over the fact that 
news had been received from all over Mother Earth. 

"Captain Marchy," continued the Professor, let us fly 
upwards about one mile. I am anxious to view the physical 
transportation of magnetized barrels, carrying the products 
of the country from north to south 2000 miles on the ca- 
nal's current, and the products of south to north on the 
other canal's stream. The Captain started spinning. Ah! 
exclaimed Rubeus, there the are ! A chain o£ barrels, 2000 
miles long, is seen going forward and back in a never end- 
ing line. "What," those birds have utilized the canal's cur- 
rent as conductor of food stuff, said the Professor, looking 
down attently. "Why," that magnetic transportation 
scheme of carrying products from New Orleans to Cadiz in 



A TRIP TO MARS 



Spain could be accomplished on the Gulf Stream, answered 
Rubeus. ' ' 

"Yes," grumbled the Captain. You talk to those 
people down there." 

"Look, look, exclaimed the Professor, (pointing to the 
summit of a hill. Do you see the diamond shower blowing 
out from that volcano? 

"Ah ha! exclaimed Rubeus. "Captain Marchy we 
shall get up as high as the jet." Very well, my good col- 
leagues, hold on to your telescopes. One hundred miles, 
one thousand miles, ten thousand miles. Let us fly back, 
my good colleagues, as there is no end to the jet. The 
shower is striking Mother Earth. Captain, don't you see 
it? 

CHAPTER VIII 

The Terrestrian Travelers are Invited 
to the Observation Tower. 



Yes, my worthy colleagues, they fall in South Africa 
on the same spot. There seems to be a strong pull for the 
diamonds. Must be so. Terra firma, my good colleagues. 
let us go to the Ministry of Public Works. I have an idea. 
I shall see if I can work it out here. The Chief Engineer 
is then approached by the Captain and the drawings are 
showed. He simply states. 

"I will get these things out in five days." 
However, he appears to be very much surprised. On 
the following night, after the usual banquet, the State's 
famous Astronomer invited the guests to the Observatory. 



40 A TRIP TO MARS 

The party walked through a-earern at the foot of a moun- 
tain. A soft, purple light mysteriously envelops the 
visitors, coloring the walls with a magic purple from which 
thousands of ruby stalactities hang from its vaults. A 
square then appears, imprisoned by a circle of walls, mea- 
suring 20 feet in circumference and 1000 feet high. The 
tower, elevating horizontally grew into a black diamond, 
vaulted smoothly, having the shape of an immense telescope. 
At the summit was a white diamond disc. The heavens 
appeared to the visitors beautiful beyond description as 
viewed through the huge telescope. 

The mighty Planet Jupiter came into view in the di- 
rection of the telescope, presenting a spectacle such as the 
eyes of the observers had never been privileged to behold. 
The huge globe, ninety thousand miles in equatorial diam- 
eter, was equal in mass to three hundred (planets such as 
our own globe. The huge ball glided rapidly but majest- 
ically onward through the sky, showing beautiful red, 
brown and yellow shades of color. Jupiter presented it- 
self and was a wqrld as different from our own as it is 
possible to imagine. Surface crust appeared with an im- 
mense flattened region. Then mountains of considerable 
elevation came into view, extending as rings round and 
round the planet, enclosing large canals of crystallized 
water, forming currents of incredible speed. All in con- 
stant flux changed color under the silvery radiance and 
surpassing brilliancy of the sun's rays. From the Obser- 
vatory, Jupiter, at first glance, strongly reminded the 
observers of streams of Norway on Mother Earth. A second 
glance, however, showed Jupiter had cultivated land, and on 



A TRIP TO MARS 41 

a third glance Jupiter was seen to have large cities built 
of Gothic architecture. Every house appeared to be con- 
structed with several towers, adorned with innumerable 
statues. 

The observers gave a sigh of regret, mixed with a 
generous amount of surprise. Too bad those mountains, 
streams and beautiful cities were not distinguishable from 
Mother Earth, they complained. It reminded the Professor 
of the cathedral of Milan. 

"If I did not know where I was," he declared, "I 
would be endeavoring to locate Milan right there." 

Rubeus smiled tolerantly. He had spent his young 
days in Rome and he felt sure, he obligingly told his col- 
leagues, that this large city was more like Rome than Milan 
owing to the number of statues adorning the building. 
This he said frankly, which made the Captain laugh loudly. 
He pointed toward a region west of that which they were 
observing and gave an exclamation of surprise. 

"It is just like the hills in Latium, the valley of the 
Sacco River, surrounded by low hills." "Do you see any- 
thing like people?" Good colleagues, asked the Captain. 
Rubeus inquired : 

"Where are they." The Captain pointed to that part 
of the valley, which laid at the foot of the hills. 

"By Jove," answered the Professor, "that is a pro- 
cession of giant people." Rubeus strained his eyes to see. 

""Well, declared he, that is a procession and a long 
one too. Talk about our giants on Mother Earth, they 
seem to be about 14 feet by 200 inches abreast." 

"Exactly," answered the Professor. Our Astronomers 



42 A TRIP TO MARS 

on the Earth have gone into Geology business with their 
prehistoric animals and I haven't seen a thern' snake or 
Brontasaurus to fear in this and the other world. Darwin 
surely had a picnic when he claimed the derivation of man 
from monkey. Boys and girls there, boys and girls here 
and boys and girls over on Jupiter, that is all. Professor, 
let us take a ride vp to Jupiter/' 

"Why, Rubeus, those people are too big for us, we 
would get licked. Do you know how we would look when 
we reached there? We would look like five year old boys. 
You don't want those people to play foot ball with us, do 
you?" 

"No, sure not," 

"Well then keep silent." 

"Well don't get excited, Professor, you see that girl 
looking at you? Let her look, perhaps she loves me." 

"Love you, you bald-head." I told you to keep silent, 
didn't!? "Yes." 

Well, hush, then!" 

"Oh you kid!" 

"What's going on boys?" 

"Oh, nothing, Captain, we are just joking!" 

"Well, my terrestrial visitors, how does this giant globe 
appear on your planet?" asked the Astronomer. "Answer 
that, Professor," whispered Rubeus with a smile. "Yes, 
I shall answer that pretty quick. "Worthy Doctor, said the 
Professor, it is believed that the density of Jupiter aver- 
ages about the same as the density of the sun. It is as- 
sumed from these facts that Jupiter is largely in a gaseous 
condition; but it is known that it possesses dense atmos- 



A TRIP TO MARS 43 



phere and in spite of its huge size rotates on its axes with 
great rapidity. On account of this gaseous condition, life 
on this planet is believed to be impossible. "Why gaseous 
condition? asked the Astronomer. It is an illusion of the 
{planet s four moons, shining powerfully on the planet that 
gives you such an appearance. Well then, how does Planet 
Venus appear on your globe? Planet Venus is more vis- 
ible. It shows mountains, oceans and rivers. It is believed 
from these facts that vegetation and life is possible. Look, 
look, Jupiter is gone — there are two moons, exclaimed Rub- 
eus. AVell my worthy terrestrian visitors we shall take a 
glance at Venus at one o'clock. 

Six hours were spent in walking along the luminous and 
enchanting grotto, admiring the wonders of nature. Sud- 
denly the Astronomer announced that Planet, Venus, was 
in a position of observation. The party were seated. Venus 
Venus, exclaimed the Captain. Magnificent, great, answer- 
ed the colleagues. 

A most striking structure of columnar shining rocks 
was seen, crystallized into prisms several hundred feet in 
height, standing perpendicularly and presenting a pictur- 
esque appearance such as castles bathed by the flux of the 
waves of the sea upon the flanks of this sharp ascent and 
abrupt precipice. Elevated moutain ranges were seen, 
while a large river appeared snugly locked in the valley, 
formed by other mountains. A second valley, at the foot of 
a lofty mountain is seen, which is covered with eternal veg- 
etation. 

Suddenly herds of thousands of Rangifer Tarantus are 
seen running toward a lake. Look, look, exclaimed Rubeus, 



A TRIP TO MARS 



herds of cariboos. By Jove, said the Professer, men are 
running after them on camelopard's backs! Gee! those 
giraffes can run, can't they, answered Rubeus. Men! men 
like us ! exclaimed the Captain. Yes, they are dressed in 
nice fur armed with spears. 

One of the best gateways to another valley is seen, 
which greets the observers as with a smile, peacefully rest- 
ing by its lovely lake. There appears a curious city. From 
the roof of the houses rise many beautiful towers ofi differ- 
ent forms, crowned with cupolas, resembling the turbans of 
terrestrial Oriental giants. The effect of its coloring could 
hardly be exaggerated. It is painted in all the colors of the 
rainbow, and its cupolas either sparkle with gold or shine 
with brightly tinted tiles. Thus purple, orange, red, violet, 
green, blue, gold and silver are strangely blended here in 
one picturesque mass, like fantastic castles made of jprisms. 
Its pretty river is crossed by arch-bridges, adorned with 
numerous statues 

One ofi the mountains, which almost casts its shadow 
on the town itself, is about 5,000 feet in height, appearing 
very harsh, cold and univiting, yet in reality containing ten 
hills, or mountain meadows, upon which graze several thhou- 
sand head of blue fured sheep. The valley showed a natural 
and wonderfully fertile productive plain, blessed with 
charming climate and delightful scenery. Another ridge 
of mountains encircles another valley. 

This is the rainy season in the southern country. The 
dense forests in this valley are in a mass of vapor, which 
envelopes people in suffocating warmth, rivalling a Turkish 
bath as a prespiration producer. 



A TRIP TO MARS 45 

Under the thick foliage of this wood, a world of giant 
birds are seen flying from branch to branch, being mag- 
nificent birds of all colors, brillant azure, green, black, 
purple and the finest of red colors. The disposition of 
their long feathers obliged them to fly at a height of thou- 
sands of feet against the wind. "Look, look," exclaimed 
Rubens, with a surprised emotion. Those ostrich birds are 
carrying young Yenisans for a flight. What is wrong with 
your eyes. Rubens, "X-ray/' answered the Professor. 
"Can't you see them," Professor? Look at the top of those 
tall pines over there. By Jove, those lads surely hold on 
to their bridles. Those birds are domestic fowls, said the 
Professor. Their undulating flight, graceful aerial curves 
and the shading of* their colors attracted and charmed the 
observers, and their obedience to their young Yenian 
Masters produced a great impression on them, and they 
exclaimed. "This is the most magnificent spectacle." The 
birds, carrying these young Yenians on their backs, at a 
height of thousands of feet, bring in view distinctly the 
the features of the Yenians. which were stricking similar 
to our boys on our Earth. In this southern region they were 
nude, showing a genteel white skin, perfect form, beau- 
tiful features, with long wavy black hair and brillant black 
eyes. 

Suddenly the Professor gave an exclamation of wonder, 
looking toward a position west of the valley. At first it 
was hard to see. Then, little by little, there unfolded before 
their eyes a balloon in a very high latitude, in an almost 
direct line with their giant telescope. The balloon proved 
to be a huge hide bag, adjusted with two lon» cylinders, 



46 A TRIP TO MARS 

lateral-positioned, two miner ones connecting and a larger 
central one with a strange motor. The whole thing proved 
to be either, or aerial electricity, sucked by the side cyl- 
inders feeding the motor. The central one serving to suck 
the air and the minor ones carrying compressed air, there- 
by enabling the occupants to steer the machine. Captain 
Marchy said the other day that the air, surrounding a 
planet, is chuck full of electricity, which Marconi uses for 
bis wireless telegraphy and the Venians have adopted it to 
run their dirigibles. "Viva the Venians! by Jove!" ex- 
claimed the Professor, immensely surprised. I wonder if 
the Venians are taking a trip to Mars like we did, said 
Kubeus. They are not, answered the Captain. They can- 
not get higher than 45 miles, because the sun would burn 
the balloon, Perhaps they have a metallic torpedo like 
nreoplanes for that purpose, adjusted with cooling gelatine 
like our Aeriolus. 

"Well, they have not yet reached Mars or Mother 
Earth," answered the Professor. "Viva the Aeriolus then! " 
said the Captain. Viva, viva, cried the colleagues. Venus 
beneath them begins to show dense clouds, and further 
vision is then cut off. 

In one hour the satellite of the earth will be in view 
also your planet earth. You will be able to see people in 
both planet and satellite. What! people in the moon? 
Dont you think so Proffessor? "No I do not Doctor," the 
sun does not heat the moon like the earth, there is no air. 
"There is not such extinction of light, the whole heavens 
]>s one blaze of solar light, the universe is infinite there 
i§ no direction in space in which the visual ray does not 



A TRIP TO MARS 47 

encounter a star, light is material, sunlight exerts a pres- 
sure of many thousand tons upon the surface of the planets, 
this is termed the pressure of light, light ray is deflected in 
a gravitational field, it is material, it reaches with the 
same heat and light as on this planet everywhere/' 

"How and thru which agency does the sun derive all 
this heat Doctor?" Why, Professor, the sun is a radium 
planet. It may be, but radium is disproved by the spec- 
troscope. It may be disproved by your spectroscope for 
the reason that other chemical elements contained in the 
sun absorbs the radium. That settles the whole question 
Doctor, I believe with you, the instruments we have up 
there in the earth are inadequate, they do not detect things 
like your instruments. That vegetation and life exist on 
the moon is impossible Why, Professor? Why, Doctor, 
no heavy gases can be detected in the moon. Gases exist 
in considerable quantities in the moon, carbon dioxide and 
water vapor so essential to the growth of organism exist 
in deep land and the people there have built ring-plains 
and profit by this system. Have built ring-plains? Yes, 
ring-plains. "Listen, Captain, ant-hills." What kind of 
people are there? Why, Professor, have you not seen the 
walls of China? Yes. Well, who built them? People on 
the earth. Well, people in the moon built ring-plains, that 
settles it. Captain, if active volcanic vents do exist on the 
moon as Maggini observed in 1916, there is a source of 
supply of carbon dioxide and water vapor for the growth 
of lunar organism in low-lying regions. Certainly, Rubeus, 
the walled plains, serve to mitigate the extremes cf heat 
and cold at closed levels, The blanketing effect of th> 



48 A TRIP TO MARS 

carbon dioxide and vapor in our own atmosphere is well 
known as agency to modify extremes ofi temperature, the 
prepetual mantle of snow of the high plateaus of the moon 
like on the Alps of the earth is modified by the walls, some 
65 miles wide and some as wide as 100 miles. Why then, 
Jule Verne thought that the moon w&s a death world? 
My good friend Rubeus, that great french novelist was a 
student of Flamarion's popular astronomy, Telescopes at 
that time were of limited sizes but, at the present time we 
possess telescopes as large as 100 inches and our American 
popular Astronomer Isabel Lewis points out modern dis- 
coveries. "Yes, Captain, I have often read her popular 
Astronomy on the Science and Inventions, "you read them 
often do you?" "I read them over and over again, too bad 
that Magazine does not come out weekly, I prefer to read 
that paper than to eat, "So do I!,' "Good for you 
Professor ! ' ' 

The Satellite of planet Earth is now in view, "my good 
visitors, look in the reflector, as your satellite always pre- 
sent the same side to Mars as our Earth, our telescope is 
now adjusted to invert the disc of the moon, "you can see 
it upside down. There is a landscape at the base of the 
mountain ranges. "Desolated valley, "Captain, desolated 
valley! "No vegetation whatever!" So it appears to you 
Rubeus. "Rubeus is telling the truth Captain that is the 
valley of death! "Cold Planet," death world! "What a 
terrible scene those rugged mountains!" Mercy, Domines, 
Domine! "You seem to be terrorized Professor." Am I 
not Doctor? "Be calm my dear Earth visitors," look down 
deep in that walled plain, you will see something, "What 



A TRIP TO MARS 49 

walled plain, that is a great crater! "Good God!" I see 
cultivated land in that crater, "no it is not a crater, it is 
a walled plain. "How wide is that iplain Doctor?" 65 
miles wide Captain, " oh, yes, that is the Albategnius. ' ' 
Look the caverns in side of the wall. "Where Captain?" 
Look way down deep. "By Jove," I see little men sliding 
up and down the walls, side way, head down feet upward 
any ways. "Yes, Professor I. can see them even raise big 
rockes way up to the top of the ream of the wall with a 
small instrument. "Well Rubeus you have gained martian 
X ray eye-sight. ' ' You can 't see him eh ? " Go way Rubens 
"Why, Professor," can't you see that man raising that 
mass up on that wall?" Well the little rascal! If that 
don't beat anything I ever saw! "That's suspended gravi- 
tation for you Professor!" Is'nt though? "They wear 
fur clothes don't they?" Yes, lion hairy clothes. "They are 
a sort of beautiful creatures are they not Ca(ptain? Yes 
Rubeus, "they look like our terrestian youths." Look the 
whitish skin! "Doctor, how old you think that boy is?" 
Boy? "Why Captain, he is one thousand years old." 
How do you know Doctor? "By telepathy." How do 
they live such a long life?" There is more carbon dioxide 
irf|£he air and water in the moon, the effect of such chem- 
ical substances prolong human life, don't you know?" Do 
they feel by telepathy as you do?" Certainly they do." 
now, smoke that in your pipe Professor. "Silence you, 
you devil! "What's going on, boys? "Oh, this devil here! 
"Rubeus, can't you behave? "Excues me Captain." "I" 
What is it? "I am joking, that's all. "Doctor, do you 
think that the people in the moon can produce sufficient 



50 A TRIP TO MARS 

crop in that round valley for yearly food?" Certainly 
Captain. "Besides the enourmous crop, there are fish in 
abundance in the oceans and water birds to supply your 
planet earth." Now look at that adjoining walled plain, 
"Yes that's Hiparchus," well, that is 100 miles wide. "Do 
you see the people come out of their caverns? "Yes, by 
the hundreds. "See how busy they go about their affair ?" 
"By Jove the rascals walk suspended in the air. "Sure, 
they wear anti-graitation shoes like us here in Mars." 
"Doctor, who makes anti-gravitation shoes here in Mars." 
There is the shoemaker. "Who that big monkey over 
there?" "Yes." "Well, boss,, will you make me a pair of 
anti-gravitation shoes, so when I return to mother earth, 
my wife can see me walk suspended in the air and think 
I have turned into a devil. Warrow , rooowa. "What 
devil of talk do you call that?" "Domine Emanuel," he 
is asking you who makes shoes in your planet. Why, 
Lyvia, do you understand the language of that monkey? 
"Yes Domine, I can feel it." Feel it? How? "By tele- 
pathy, well, I'll be switched." Rubeus, what do you think of 
that? "Ifi I stay in this planet a little longer I will be able 
to feel it too." Next is another walled valley 115 miles 
w^de. 

"That must be Ptolemaeus, the great walled plain." 
Look at all the people down in that round valley, "they 
are having a pinic, are they not Doctor? "It seems that 
way." "Gee, Iwish I could fly down there." You don't 
think you are growing wings, do you professor? "Well, 
are you Rubeus?" "No," silence then. 

See, to the northwest of this ring plain is a deep lunar 



A TRIP TO MARS 



valley about 80 miles long, and in places 10 miles wide 
South from Ptolemaeus extends a long chain of great walled 
plains reaching to the southern border. There are ring 
plains and craters. " Where is the 50 mlies walled plain 
Doctor?" There it is .wait I will adjust the reflector 
Captain, " there it is now, how does it appear to you?" 
"Wonderful," that's what we call Copernicus 50 miles of 
ring plains." Look at the fertility oj that round valley, 
there must be all kinds of fruit and gardens. Look at the 
water fountains. By Jove. Rubeus there is a martian girl 
flying around the ream of that wall, "what an angel!" 
Here, Professor, this is Syrena reflecting in the glass, 
"where is your head?" Why, is that you Syrena, God 
bless you. how happy I am that you have not departed 
from my side. I thank you Domine, I shall remain with 
you. "Isn't she the most graceful creature Rubeus?" 
Do you like her? "Do I?" Too bad she is so young. 
Young yes. she only made 500 nests. "Is that all?" That's 
all." Why how old do you think she is? Oh, about 3000 
years old. Why. my wife in mother earth in only forty, 
and is full of wrinkles. "My wife lost all her teeth." Is 
she getting gray to? I hate to tell you. Ha, ha, ha ha — 
"What's the matter Captain, you seem to be somewhat 
disturbed." "Oh! my collegues are acting foolish." 
"Why, Captain, they are getting younger," naturally, the 
effect of younger age makes them feel extremely happy." 
"What!" Your Majesty telling me they are getting 
younger!" "Certainly so, Captain." "Why, what makes 
that?" "The the difference in the atmostphere, don't you 
know there is more Carbon dioxide in Mars than there is 



A TRIP TO MARS 



in your planet earth." "The air we breathe, the water we 
drink here renew and prolong life." "What!" Is that 
why your Majesty is keeping young? How old do I ap- 
pear to you Captain?" "Oh, about twenty." Well, I was 
forty when I departed from planet earth 1846 years ago. 

Has your Majesty ever been married 1 "Not yet Cap- 
tain, but I am engaged to Vergil's old girl from Cumae." 

The Captain did not want to be inquisitive but did not 
comprehend the meaning for a Virgil who lived on mother 
earth some 2000 years ago and whose girl, according with 
the Historian Freccia, was the Sibil of Cumae who had been 
dead nearly 2000 years. As Roman names were comon 
throught Mars, the Captain passed over the subject but 
was quite unsatisfied. 

"Your Majesty can tell me the names of the two prin- 
cipal channels running through this beautiful planet?" 

"Captain, my people give them many names, but I 
would be glad to give them some good terrestrian names 
if you will propose them and my order shall remain." 

"How would it be to call them Schiapparelli?" "Who 
is he, an Italian?" "Yes, your Majesty." "Very well 
Captain, Schiapparelli Channels shall remain." Captain, 
the small Island on the shore of this Observatory Hill is 
furrowed by three small rivers have you any good names 
for them? "Yes, I have your Majesty, Flamarion is one." 

Who is he a Gallian? "Yes, your Majesty he is a 
French Astronomer." "Very well, Captain. Flamarion 
shall remain, and the second and third are Pickering and 
Lowell." "Who are they Captain?" Your Majesty they 
are two American Astronomers. "Is America a new 



A TRIP TO MARS 53 

country;" "Yes your Majesty, it was discovered by an 
Italian after you departed, it is situated on the western 
hemisphere." "Oh, yes. the land of my friend Seneca, a 
big continent on the western part of the earth, there was 
an Egyptian and Etruscan emigration to that country, in 
early times, but they must have perished because it was 
extremely hot on the southern part and cold on the northern 
part of that gold country." Is it not Captain? "Not as 
bad as you Romans thought at that time your Majesty." 
"Why, Captain, Seneca thought it was a good temperature 
there, very fertile and rich in gold. ' ' 

So, you wish to name the other two rivers Pickering and 
Lowell, do you Captain? "Yes your Majesty, very well 
then,Pickering and Lowell shall remain." Now, your 
Majesty will you let me name the Island? "Sure Captain. 
Isabel Lewis. Who is she, an American Astronomer? 
"Good, Lewis shall remain. 

"Say boss, do you wish to know who makes shoes in our 
planet," "Men like us." You know why? "Because 
according with Darwin's doctrine, the monkey is the an- 
cestor of man, consequently man does the work and 
monkey's stay at rest," "He is respected there, don't you 
see." "Monkey's admirers over there, place us in prison 
if we make a monkey do the work." Isn't that the fact 
Rubeus? "Yes, you bet, ha, ha, ha — 

All off for the Moon." 

The Earth is now visible my good terrestrian visitors. 
look at the earth. "Africa! cried Rubeus. " "South 
America ! cried the Professor." "North America ! cried the 
Captain." Hurrah, for them all. Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah. 



54 A TRIP TO MARS 

as they looked at the different countries, there was Africa, 
south and north America, undulated by the ocean. The 
substratum oi] the countries showed mountains and plains 
with numerous streams emerging from dark labyrinths 
flowing into beautiful lakes which appeared so pellucid 
that the boats seemed floating in the air. Like children 
dance looking at a flying balloon, their enthusiam had now 
reached the highest joy "Mother, sister, brother, friends, 
hurrah for you all. ' ' Good God, Rubeus ! 45,000,000 miles 
off! "Bless me mother!" "Forgive me sister!" You are 
crying, Processor! "Why should 'nt 1, Rebeus. " Captain 
is crying too ! ' ' You too. ' ' Forgive me wife ! Ha ! ha ! ha — 

"What devil you call that?" Syrena heard you ask- 
ing pardon from your wife — ha ! ha ! ha — the devil she did. 
"Sure, don't you know that she can feel your language." 
"Didn't I make a fool of myself well enough — ha! ha! ha — 
"That's enough now Rubeus." 

"All off for the Earth." It is late, let us go to rest, 
said the Astronomer. The Captain and his collegues took 
oif\ their caps and bowed their heads in silent gratitude to 
the Astronomer ,the King and his escort for their wonderful 
Astronomical observation. The shoemaker that had gone 
to the shop returned with three pair of shoes, and the ter- 
restrian visitors were able to walk home suspended up in 
the air through the streets adorned with luminous flowering 
trees. 



A TRIP TO MARS 55 

CHAPTER IX 

Hunting Trip — Emerald Grotto — Artificial Rain 
Luminus Flowers 

It was ten o'clock that morning when the Captain, 
rubbing his eyes exclaimed. Let us get up, my good 
colleagues. All right Captain, they answered. I see the 
lovely plain of the forest, covered with fig trees, crops of 
various kinds, flocks ofj birds, etc. Let us go hunting for 
a change. Yes Captain, the King is desirous of seeing us 
joyful. On their way toward the Aeriolus, they were 
met by two escorts, carrying bows and arrows. In less than 
half an hour they reached the forest, Birds were seen 
Hying all around. The King's servants arrived, loaded 
with provisions and twelve maidens, fire-keepers of the 
forest chapel, welcomed the terrestrials with the most 
enthusiastic cheers. The grotto of the Nymphs was en- 
tered. This great cave consisted oi a lava-like mass at the 
base, with two ranges of red emerald columns resting upon 
it, which presented to the eye an appearance of regularity 
almost architectural, supporting an irregular ceiling of 
diamond rocks. This grotto was accessible by a narrow 
entance but the landing was level. Aftes a series of cur- 
vations, the travelers arrived at the Great Hall, the sides 
and roof of which were covered with immense incrustations 
of precious stones. The purity of the surrounding stone, 
and the thickness of the floor of the water stream, called 
by the terrestrian visitors la Seine, could deposit all mix- 
tures, and gave to its stalactites a beautiful splendor. Tall 



56 A TRIP TO MARS 

pillars stood in many places free, near each other, and 
single groups of stalagmites endeavored to prove from them 
the petrification nature in diamonds. Along the hallways 
and around the great hall were luminous plants, so called 
on account of the brillancy of their leaves. They had all 
the singular properties that their leaves recede from shadow 
of human figure, human voice and human footstep. The 
humble sensitives instantly fell downward, as fastened by 
hinges. These plants all had winged leaves, each wing con- 
sisting of many small pinnae. The grotto was always il- 
luminated by these beautiful plants, and the various colors 
produced by the hanging stalagmites of emerald is beyond 
imagination. 

It was in this 5 mile wide grotto that the terrestrian 
travelers first observed there existed, in great abundance, 
on Mars a genus of fossils, emenating from the ground a 
vapor that becomes on JfHre in the air, burning with a red- 
ish flame in great splendor, but not burning one 's skin. Be 
not surprised, said a beautiful Nympth, to Captain Marchy, 
if in our planet you should find trees producing luminous 
fruit. Examine this nut. Light is shut up in this shell, it 
will shine at night-time. The trees, which adorn our city 
squares, produce such luminous fruit in every season. Be 
not surprised, Captain, if in our planet you should find a 
way of boiling the water without fire, said another Nymph, 
with a graceful smile. What ! exclaimed the terrestrian 
astonished." Yes yes, my terrestrian visitors, you know 
that there is an immense ring around the Equator. Well 
that same ring actionates on the metallic rings or fan-like 
circles adjusted in the wells of our houses and in the lakes 



A TRIP TO MARS 57 

and everywhere. The water has all the singular properties 
to develop heat when it is put under an energic and con- 
tinuous mechanical action. Whenever hot water is desired 
a valve is pressed. The ring strongly and uniformly 
agitates the water, which soon becomes tepid and gradually 
comes to boiling point. This is a systematic means of reg- 
ulating temperature, besides what Nature adjusts itself. 
Wonderful planet, wonderful creatures, exclaimed the ter- 
restrians. Worthy Prophetess,your knowledge is so in 
teresting that one would believe in a paradise if you could 
locate it in some star in the infinite. "Well Captain, said 
the Nymph, with a smile." When you direct your prayers 
to the Creator, how long does it take you to get a reply? 
Thirty-five minutes, Nymph. Very well, human mind is 
electricity, is it not? Yes, Nymph. How long does it take 
£or electricity to travel from your planet to another. From 
Earth to Jupiter, 35 minutes. There is Paradise Captain, 
in Jupiter. I believe with you worthy Prophetess. Jupiter 
has no seasons in our sense of the word, since his equator is 
inclined but little more than three degreese to his orbit. 
Thus a prepetual spring reigns all over his surface. A 
planet under the condition of perpetual spring, which is 
usually the most pleasant portion of our year, leads to a 
state of things such as we may find so agreeable to eternal 
rest. What, Jupiter, a Paradise planet? Asked Rubens 
with a sigh. Possible, said Professor Emanuel. Jupiter 
exceeds our earth 1,230 times in volume, and more than 
300 times in mass. This magnificent orb was rightly se- 
lected by Astronomers as the crowning proof of the 
relative insignificance of the earth in the scale of creation. 



58 A TRIP TO MARS 

Captain, they say on Mother Earth that a terrestrian 
on Mars could run faster than the best of our terrestrial 
athletes. 

"Well, Rubeus, try to leap over that 12-foot emerald 
wall/' 

"By Jove Captain, it is not easy." 

Now run. 

How is this for speed? 

"Slow." 

"Captain, here is the Nymph with some strange fruit." 

What kind is this, Professor? 

"Captain, this fruit has butter enclosed in its shell." 

This is a very large nut, Nymph, as large as an orange 
on our Earth. 

Try the juice on the bread. 

Where is the bread. Why no, this is a melon. 

Taste it. 

Good God, this has the real taste oil our terrestrial 
read, and has the flavor of our best butter. 

The light, emanating from the plams growing along 
ihe river Seine, produced a thousand charming varieties, 
playing in the joists of fantastic architecture of the grotto 
1b at were so vididly colored. 

At last, after walking four hours, the terrestrial 
visitors entered into the forest that was enlivened by the 
songs and flight of a large number of pheasants ; and under 
the thick foliage of this wood a world of those magnificent 
birds appeared. The travelers were attracted and 
charmed by the flight and graceful aerial curves and shad- 
ing of colors of their feathers. Under the numerous shrubs 



A TRIP TO MARS 



and trees that grew on the earth, and under their shadows, 
were massed real bushes of blossomed flowers, from which 
red and green little birds flew from branch to branch like 
a swarm of butterflies. It was an immense forest of en- 
ormous trees, united by garlands of elegant foliage, all 
adorned with red veil crape and luminous fruit. They 
passed freely under the high branches of the trees, lost in 
the shade of the crapes, while at their feet, jessamines, 
liles and violets formed a carpet ol5 flowers of an indescrib- 
able beauty. They occupied, in this place , an emerald 
house surrounded by the lofty foliage of the forest. The 
little luminous fruit of the ferns threw over this trans- 
parent house little sparks, reflected by the emerald walls 
in violet, red, opaque, green and yellow tints. Under the 
transparent floor gold fish fled on all sides, while their 
retreat was thus being disturbed by the foot-steps. 

"Look! look! exclaimed the Professor, that artesian 
well furnishes warm water." 

"Yes Signor, said the Nymph, every large house in 
this planet and the big grotto is heated by water from 
artesian wells." "Most of the wells are 2000 feet deep." 
"They furnish a steady temperature, fountains of boiling 
water are found everywhere." "There is an immense 
spring in the North that is so hot that people cook their 
provisions in it." 

Look ! look ! that well out there throws up a column of 
white powder, there is another one throwing up a mingled 
white and redish powder to a height of 1000 feet. 

That is an indication of fog and rain. Do you see the 
mass of clouds. Soon thev will become condensed into 



GO A TRIP TO MARS 

water and will fall in rain. 

Yes, Nymph, but that powder cannot be magnesia. 
By Jove, I have a pocket Spectroscope. I shall detect the 
elements. Ah, those substances form magnesia. Citric 
acid, bicarbonate of soda. The elements dissolved into 
humidity of dense fiog forms clouds of steamy vapor and 
soon fall in rain-drops. 

"You see," Signor, said the Nymph, whenever rain is 
desired, a valve is pressed, uncovering the metallic lid 
over the powder wells, and a tube, actioned by the equator- 
ial motion, blows out the powder with more force and rain 
is so obtained. This means is adopted when fog is float- 
ing near the surface of the land. Ah, exclaimed the col- 
leagues. That could be accomplished on the earth by 
disseminating magnesia powder on the fog with our aero- 
planes. About ten minutes later a torrent of rain fell, 
and began violently beating like melodious music on the 
walls of the house. The sunlight produced a thousand 
charming varieties, shining through the transparent walls. 
The horizon grew lighter and lighter. After two hours of 
violent rain the terrestrian colleagues followed the Nymph 
into the forest. A carpet of flowers, emanating odors 
delicious and restoring, offered a journey in its blossoming 
meadows and bushes, which seemed to say "come along, 
come farther." Birds got up from the bushes like butter- 
flies. Charmed by the immensity of beautiful birds, five 
days passed rapidly away. On their departure, a world of 
pheasants, flying from branch to branch, under the thick 
foliage of the bushes, seemed to say. "Farewell, forget- 
me-not." 



A TRIP TO MARS 61 

About one mile off this charming wood an arch of 
huge rock, with its fantastic sha^pe pillared, excited the 
imagination of the visitors. The formation of this huge 
rock is known as chondrules, oval-shaped, about the size 
of an orange, appearing in many varieties of stone, which 
are abundantly found in terrestrial rocks. The chondrules 
were so loosely embedded in the rock that they would 
fall away when scraped with a knife. According to Pro- 
fessor Emanuel's opinion the chondrules were originally 
molted drops, like fiery rain, and their internal structure 
depends on the conditions of cooling of the huge meteorite. 
There were white and red round marble stones, which are 
usually found in terrestrian soil. Rubeus was seen scrap- 
ing, with unceasing activity, something resembling a bionze 
case. After half an hour of hard labor the case fell, the 
cap fell off and number of little silver coins were strewn 
on the ground. The presence of these coins strengthened 
the belief that the huge meteorite was a fragment of other 
worlds and such a world must have been the Earth at the 
time of the catastrophe. A Nymph, who was claimed to 
be 5000 years of age, was questioned on the subject. She 
stated that one day, when she was anly a child, during a 
tempest, the rock fell, which produced a noise like the 
rattle of artillery and similar to the rumbling of thunder. 
One thousand years later, a dagger, bearing the Latin name 
of Caprys, was scraped out of the rock, bearing the effigy 
of a human head and a cross. Such is the effigy on these 
coins, exclaimed the terrestrians with enthusiasm. 

" Etruscan coin," cried the Captain. This meteorite 
was blown out by the volcano of Roecamonfina, howled 



«2 A TRIP TO MARS 



the companions with astonishment. 

The party returned, safe and joyful. In the engineer's 
office the Captain found two huge shells. 

"Ah," cried the Captain, jumping up at the sight of 
his shells. The chief engineer approached the Captain with 
a smile. 

' ' There are your shells, ' ' Captain, The Captain warm- 
ly grasped his hands. Conversation soon became interest- 
ing, principally to the interrogations, which the Captain 
and the engineer answered with great readiness. 

Give us a<n explanation of the shells, Captain, cried the 
party, 

CHAPTER X 
Radio Telephony to the Antipodes of Mars 



Captain Marchy answered. A new era that will cause 
the globe to be enveloped in radio oscillation is demonstrat- 
ed in that shell invented by me. This invention actually 
brings true the dreams of our Earthly friends. 

Marconi and Tesla, who have predicted that the day 
would come when wireless waives would encircle the globe. 
I have invented that shell equipped with a wireless trans- 
mitter, adjusted to a receiver. The shell is adjusted with 
a wire projecting through a hole as used on common radio 
transmitters. This shell, becoming a satellite of this globe, 
travelling round and round it for eternity, could be used 
as a transmitter to encircle this Planet Mars, governed by 
the etheric waves. The electro-magnetic gun, used by the 
Martians, is similar to the gun invented by our terrestrian 
friend, Professor Bfrkeland, and works by the equatorial 



A TRIP TO MARS 63 

motion, thus offering the best facilitation for ejecting my 
shell on high trajectory into space. 

Three cheers for Captain Marchy 's invention. Hurrah 1 
viva, bravo. "Let us try it. Captain," cried the party, 
enthusiastically. 

"My 40 inch cannon is ready, Captain," said the chief 
engineer. 

All right. Viva, bravo, answered his colleagues. The 
King and his escorts stepped out to the square desirous of 
seeing Captain Marchy 's shell grazing as satellite round 
the globe Mars. Yourself in person should shoot it Captain, 
Look straight up my worthy friends — ready — Look, look, 
disappeared — no more ! Shouted the King. 

No, my good colleagues, take these two radio appara- 
tus and carry them to the Aeriolus, The Aeriolus flies up- 
wards 45 miles and in less than one minute reaches the anti- 
podes of Planet Mars. Rubeus, you land here with your 
radio apparatus until we get back. "Yes, Captain." The 
Aeriolus is flying at the extreme west point of the globe 
Mars. Professor Emanuel, you shall land here with your 
radio apparatus. All right, Captain. Captain Marchy flies 
back to the place of departure and descends. 

Now, your Majesty, chief, and Martian friends, if the 
shell was fired on proper trajectory it has by this time be" 
come a satellite of this globe of yours Mars. Look at the 
radio apparatus in the Aerilous. Should it move. It is a 
success. Drrreeeee. Telegram. A message from Rubeus. 
Viva, ave. Rreeeee. A dispatch from Professor Emanuel. 
Viva, bravo, cried the Martians. Radio communications 
soon became exceedingly frequent during the whole day, 



64 A TRIP TO MARS 

At sunset they took the Chief Engineer for a ride and 
they descended where Rubeus was sitting by his radio ap- 
paratus. 

Well, my good colleague Rubeus, how did my messages 
reach you? Very clear, Captain. I think your invention 
is worthy of the 20th Century. Do you think so, Rubeus? 
Yes, I do worthy Captain. Let us go and get Professor 
Emanuel. The party then flew west and landed near the 
Professor. Well, my good colleague, were my dispatches 
clear? Yes, very clear Captain. You have certainly in- 
vented a satellite worthy of having around any inhabited 
world. Let us go back, my good colleagues, his Majesty is 
waiting for supper. The Aerilous landed at the square 
and was welcomed with loud cheers. During supper the 
Astronomer entered, announcing the discovery of a new 
Martian satellite, but when he was informed of the Captain 's 
invention, he cried. "You have created a satellite/' You 
are worthy of great consideration, Captain. God be with 
you. Thank you Doctor, and I now will ask you when 
is the best time to direct his Majesty's artillery toward 
Planet Earth. Artillery? Yes, one of your huge 40 inch 
canons. "Planet Earth is in full view early in the morn- 
ing, answered the Astronomer." Very well. When is 
Planet Jupiter in full view ? Planet Jupiter, having a force 
316 times greater than Mars, this giant planet would arrest 
my magnetized projectile and in capturing it the Jupitians 
could telegraph to us and we would telegraph back to them. 
In this case, as said, the shell would not become a satellite 
of Jupiter, forced to travel round and round it, as it is 
magnetized, and would, therefore, be attracted by that giant 



A TRIP TO MARS 



planet and naturally our cousins up there would at once 
press the button on the side of the projectile and the 
message would be received on our wireless station. Similar 
shells could be sent to Planet Venus, Neptune, Moon and 
other planets. The only difficulty would be the possibility 
of interplanetary communication by wireless telphony and 
telegraphy is the interpretation of languages. Interpreta- 
tion of the languages? Interrupted the Astronomer. Why 
Captain, your worthy Sibyl of Cuma has been with us for 
thousands of years, and she can prophesy and foresee the 
complicated code called diversity of language, anticipating 
speech transmission, thoughts and ideas of dwellers, pro- 
vided there are any in other planets. This Prophetess 
should be consulted on this great occasion. The terrestrian 
colleagues looked at one another in astonishment. The 
king interrupted, saying. Yes, my good colleagues and 
terrestrian visitors, my presence here is due to our Sibyl. 
My departure from Mother Earth was a frightful catast- 
rophe, but my accension in the infinite was miraculously 
brought about by the divine hand of our Sibyl. The Sibyl 
introduced our Latin language here and it was universally 
learned and adopted. Whenever we consult her we never 
fail. My nativity was casual in the temple of the Sibyl 
and my mother offered her infant to the Sibyl. She has 
protected me ever since and I am in debt to her for my long 
life and my existance in this heavenly world. The Captain, 
with soul still excited from the emotion produced by the 
account of the King, was suddenly shaken by the exquisit- 
ness of a woman entering the hall, followed by twelve 
young pages. 



66 A TRIP TO MARS 

"Ave, ave," cried all. Laudem Sibylla,'' cried the 
King. "Ave, ave, " cried all. The Sibyl was soon seated 
on a high blue emerald chair, showing the most majestic 
exquisitness of a terrestrial princess, but of supernatural 
beauty. 

CHAPTER XI 

The Sibyl Interpretates the Answer from Jupiter 



Captain Marchy bowed and said. Ave Sibylla, do you 
know who I am? Yes, you are descended from the Rubeus 
family, principality of Parma and the late dukedom of 
Selve. You have the noble natural disposition of your 
ancestors and have created a new satellite, a satellite worthy 
of having in the infinite. At this moment you are thinking 
of communicating with the people in the Moon. There are 
few people there,; as there is little atmosphere. Vegetation 
is just beginning and life is consequently commencing, but 
proceeding gradually. You must increase through birth 
in that planet, by pointing hundreds of huge cannons to- 
ward that planet and continue shooting hollow shells, loaded 
with magnesia, adjusted to burst up there, which will form 
nebula, or fog. The Moon then wrapped in this mass of 
atmosphere will cause vegetation and life to sprout up. 
At the present time human life up there is in its infancy, 
people are puppet-sized but are perfect human creatures 
dwelling in caverns. Animal life is small. Oak and pine 
trees are like herbs. You are thinking of shooting a pro- 
jectile up into Jupiter. The projectile is loaded with a 
radio telephone apparatus and will communicate with the 



A TRIP TO MARS 67 

giants of that huge planet. Do so, and if they answer I will 
interpret their language. Captain Marchy, encouraged by 
the Sibyl, steps out doors with the chief engineer and was 
followed by all the public. The Astronomer pointed at 
Jupiter and the Captain fired the shell. No roar was heard 
as the electro-magnetic gun produces no noise. After 
fifteen minutes the Aeriolus telephone started, Dreee. The 
telephone is ringing, many shauted, full of enthusiasm. 
Then Sibyl flew to the Aeriolus, followed by the Captain, 
the King and the public. 

Well, who is this talking? Juvinus, the Astronomer of 
Funclis Observatory. Yes. What Planet is this? Planet 
Jupiter. We have received a shell and wish to learn from 
where it was sent. It was sent from the people of Planet 
Earth, who came to Planet Mars for a visit. Your language 
is similar to ours, how do you account for that? Yes, T 
speak your language, you bet I can. Well then, we can 
communicate with you every day. No you can not. Why? 
Because your planet will not be in direct line with our 
planet, consequently the electro-magnetic flush, between 
the two planets will cease. Why do electro-magnetic cur- 
rents carry dispatches? They certainly do. We have 
tried to signal with Planet Earth time and time again, but 
we have never received any answer. Well can you locate 
the point on that planet where you have directed your 
signals? Yes, in a desert near the equator. Yes. T know. 
in a region called Brazil. Say. Doctor, what is the number 
of inhabitants on Jupiter? Five billions. It is ruled by 
several emperors and Kings, is it not? Yes. Very well, 
ring me up again next October, will you? Sure I will. 



A TRIP TO MARS 



Good-bye. Farewell. 

Captain, the Jupiters have made use of an electric cur- 
rent to communicate with you on Mother Earth. Yes, 
worthy Sibylla, we have noticed it, but were not able to 
answer it. Too bad, answered the Sibyl. Well, when you 
return to Planet Earth, as you are familiar with occultism, 
take five deep breaths and direct a mental communication 
visualizing me ; then I will give you an inspiration of how 
to create an electrical current signal. Will you do that, 
Captain? Yes, my worthy Sibylla, I shall do so. "Worthy 
Prophetess.,, we read in Pulibius of your high knowledge 
concerning the spherocity of our planet Earth. "Did 
you really prophretize the rotundity of the earth in the 
same way that Galileo proved to be true nearly two thou- 
sand years after w ith the invention of his telescope ?" 
"Certainly so, Captain." As the elements of matter of 
which the farthest star in the universe is composed are the 
same as those which makes up all worlds, the laws which 
govern this world of Mars govern all worlds. My account 
of the creation ofi all the worlds were inspired by the same 
creator who made the planet Earth. 

The earth was at first in the darkness and deep in 
the infinite, far, far off from the sun, the earth was a fro- 
zen semisphere. 

The hand ofi God uplifted the planet earth from dark- 
ness and cold. With the first motion of rotation under the 

r . . . 

sim's rays light appeared and at last heated. The orginal 
name of that planet was Opus. The Earth (Opus) had not 
yet attained the consistency to keep with raging between 
land and water, at last, Tules, a glowing star lashed into 



A TRIP TO MARS 69 

fury by magnetic attraction, traveling at electromagnetic 
speed billions of miles. Tules running swiff ty in the reg- 
ion of the sydereal ocean furrowed by Saturn threw up 
along its journey intermittent massives of huge rocks from 
its tremulous body. Planet Saturn whos' rotation was as 
swiftly as a spin caused the thousands of rocks thrown by 
the trembling Tules to rotate ring-like, forming a circle of 
several thousands of moons shining as brilliantly as do now 
the moon on mother earth. As Tules continued to ap- 
proach the syderal ocean floated by the earth, a time ar- 
rived when the atmostphere of the earth was not sufficient 
to support the clash of| the falling star, thus a fierce conflict 
was raging between the atmosphere and the falling star. 
At last Tules triumphed, and the Atlantic ocean became 
the cradle of Tules. Hence, this enormous clash, disloc- 
ations were made. The earth, trembling teriobly, huge 
crevices were opened, and the surface was furrowed with 
enormous clets and cracks, and torrents of water were 
poured in fiery floods running over the entire globe. Thus 
a struggle of the children ofj God was raging between life 
and death. Finally water triumphed and the flood became 
universal. 

The unbroken extent of water between the western 
shores of Europe and Africa and East Indies, at last, Atlan- 
tis an isle which was situated between Spain and extended 
as far as Iceland, was swallowed by the wktets and Tules 
rose fr'om the bottom of the ocean. 

One hundred lucky pair were saved in the hollows of 
trees closely tied together as a flat barge, floating on the 
water for many days following the flight of millions of 



70 A TRIP TO MARS 

doves. At last the new world Tules was safely reached. 
Hundreds of years had passed, news was spread quite 
widely in Egypt and Persia by the report that the new 
world presented a scene of sylvan beauty. The prominance 
of its mountains, the fragrance of its flowers and the abund- 
ance of ist delicious fruit was phrased in the songs of some 
Persian Poets, and in Geography, the Etruscan masters 
named the new continent Columbae, which denoted (the 
land of the doves.) 

''Worthy Prophetess," my soul is still in vibration by 
the emotion produced by your heavenly inspired eloquence. 
"My astonishment dazzles the sentiment or my spirit and 
my mind finds no prompt words to express my fortunate 
moment to listen to your angelic devtnities. ? ' Allow, 
Prophetess the respect and devotion of my companions and 
my admiration. The origin of that part of mother earth 
and particularly the name given by the ancients to that 
new continent now called America, certainly pleases us 
immensley, because, some five hundred years ago, when 
that country was discovered, it should have been named 
Columbia after the dove name of Columbus. Infiact, a lucky 
descended from one of the most distinquished Dukedom of 
Italy preserves the first map of that country bearing the 
name of Columbia Settentrionalis, Columbia Meridinalis 
and Terra dei Fiori. 

We thank you worthy Prophetess, we thank you. 



A TRIP TO MARS 71 



CHAPTER XII 
Captain Marchy 's New Projectile to return to Mother Earth. 



Now your Majesty, worthy Sibylla, my able engineer 
and good public we shall take a trip to mother earth in a 
huge shell, made by the able chief engineer, provided, the 
worthy Sibylla will press the button. Yes, Captain, I will 
press the button for you. How long before you will start 
Captain, exclaimed the King. We will leave the Aeriolus 
here with your Majesty and shall return just as soon as the 
electric current is flushing in direction with Mars. 

A screen was placed between the magnetic gun on the 
ground to nullify all gravitational effects by means of aerial 
ether. The metallic screen no longer acting like a sieve 
was unable to pass magnetic lines of force, but absorbed 
them. 

What is that screen for, chief? Well, Captain, any 
object placed above the screen, no matter how high above 
it, will become weightless. It will have mass but no weight. 
Look this five ton weight lead ball, is suspended above 
the screen. Yes, it stays freely suspended. If the sun «nr 
other planets were overhead the ball would immediately 
rise skyward, due to the attraction of the sun or planet 
overhead. When the planet Earth is overheads- the- •ball 4 
will rise by the attraction of the earth, but it^an be stopped 
by another electrified screen, placed high like an umbrella, 
then the ball will stay readily suspended in mid-air. The 
current was gradually reduced, when the gravitation made 
itself felt again, and the lead ball settled down gracefully. 



72 A TRIP TO MARS 

The public cried, "Farwell. " The Captain and his com- 
panions entered the shell. The door was closed and the 
shell was placed at the breech of the 40 inch gun. The 
Sibyl pressed the button and the engineer raised his hand. 
''Look, look," said the Astronomer. Just in time, the earth 
is in direction with Mars. After four minutes the projectile 
descended at 40 miles from the surface of the earth, which 
was the region of the limit of/ the earth's atmosphere. 
There the aviators met air currents of such high velocity 
that they were not able to make use of their engine, in- 
stead they practically shut off the power and travelled at 
the air-speed of 25,000 miles in 24 hours. 

CHAPTER XIII 
25.0Q0 Miles in 24 Hours by Traveling in the Air Current 



By Jove, Captain, exclaimed the Professor, I cannot 
tell whether I am flying upside down, sideways, or in 
normal position. Very well, my brave colleagues, answered 
the Captain, we are housed with oxygen tanks and at- 
mospheric compressor to survive the extremely rarefied 
atmosphere. 

We are travelling on an air current, moving westward 
with the rotation of our Mother Globe, which has a speed 
of 1,000 miles an hour, thereby giving an opportunity of 
travelling around the earth in 24 hours and take a close 
view of our satellite. That's it, Captain, I am desirous of 
seeing our satellite in order to talk to her, answered Rubeus. 
Very well, said the Professor. Have you dropped the sat- 
ellite high enough, Captain. Yes Rubeus, I dropped it 



A TRIP TO MARS 7^ 

50 miles from the earth's surface, and I saw it travelling 
very rapidly with the earth's rotation. It will run around 
the earth about 17 times daily for eternity. As Rubeus 
watched our Mother Planet appeared, green with vegeta- 
tion and gray with water, and the atmosphere looked 
cloudy. The Professor exclaimed. What is our Captain 
doing Rubeus? I think he is working out another inven- 
tion. You see, there are a series of tubes externally exposed 
on the turret. The engineer made him a combination of 
concave mirrows, of various colors, for the sun's rays, in 
order to collect and direct the sun's beams from the earth 
to Mars for signal purposes. Each glass had a letter cut 
on its disc and the words were shown by a tact key like 
a typewriter. Well, Rubeus, I do not think that the rays 
can be switched back from earth to another planet. It 
vanishes very close to the transmitter. It will eyh? Why 
don't you know that if it was not for the earth, which 
stops the sun's rays, they would shine on another Planet 
millions of miles from the earth? They would shine on 
Neptune, Venus and other planets? Yes. Well then, the 
concave glass stops the sun's rays. They collect them and 
direct them toward another planet. Yes, if that was pos- 
sible, someone would have used them by this time. Why 
haven't they? Because they didn't know how to direct 
them. Now you are talking Professor. 

Dreeeee, what is that talking? The Aeriolus Station. 
Is that you Captain Marchy directing .these beams of 
various colored lights? Yes, who is this talking? The 
Sibyl. Oh, worthy Sibylla, I am very fortunate to be able 
to communicate with you way down here near mother Earth. 



74 A TRIP TO MARS 

Captain, will you direct your signals 40 degrees toward 
the' North Pole? There they will shine on the blaojk 
diamond rock mountain and every one will be able to read 
your signal. By Jove, Captain, you have accomplished an- 
other interplanetary communication. I must congratulate 
you. So do I, Captain, answered Rubeus. I thank you my 
brave colleagues, said the Captain smiling. 
CHAPTER XIV 

Radio Telegraphy and Telephony Encircle the Globe 



Dreeee. Hello, Hello, Labravecia. Here, Professor, 
can you comprehend that language? Hello, what, Fiume? 
Well do you think that the King of Mars is going to help 
.you to keep Fiume if the D'annunzio do not want to give 
it to you? Talk to him yourself, he has a telephone. 
What? You do eh? Go to hell. What is wrong, Pro- 
fessor? Well, Captain, this territorial claimer gets my 
goat. 

Dreeeeee. Hello. The King of Mars? Ring him up, 
will. $oui -Aeriolus Station, Aeriolus Station, Aeriolus Sta- 
tion. No. Aerious Station. No, no, no not that way, Aer- 
iolus Station. Well say, I haven't much time to waste with 
you. Say, keep silent, or I will throw a meteor on your 
head. What is wrong now, Professor? Oh, that Ching is 
kicking afaout Shangtung, I am no thern' plenipotentiary 
for that Ching. Oh, you kid. Keep silent, Rubeus, I am 
angry with those antipodeans. 

Dreeee. Hello, Hello, this is the senior of the Bour- 
gas Observatory. Yes, Captain Marchy. What are those 



A TRIP TO MARS 75 

beams of colored solar lights emerging from your frying 
machine toward Planet Mars? They are solar signals. 
How do they work? I have discovered a new stone, and 
it does part of the work. Bravo, Captain, when will you 
land? Well, Doctor, we are taking a trip around the earth, 
grazing round and round it like a satellite. We are using 
no motor. The aero is holding on its wings and is running 
by the air current, which is enormousely strong up here, 
18 miles high. We could fly by this air current for eter- 
nity as a satellite does, but you know, provition and oxygen 
does not last forever. We are only proving the possibility 
of flying around the earth, 25,000 miles, in 24 hours, that 
is all. At the same time, we are proving that at this height, 
radio energy can encircle the earth, and that the antennas 
are a thing of the past, as etheric waves surround the 
atmosphere, enveloping it in great abundance, and what- 
ever you get down there are jets emerging from this dense 
stratum up here. Oh, you are navigating on the air cur- 
rent like mariners on the gulf -stream or ocean current, eh? 
That is it, Doctor, but on acurrent of) much greater velocity. 
Go ahead, Captain, and God bless you. It will be a 
good lesson for future aerial flights. Good-bye, Captain. 
Good-bye, Doctor. By the way, Captain, we saw a small 
satellite drop in the infinite about five hours ago. Have 
you seen it? Drop into space? Yes. Oh, my poor sat- 
ellite is lost. Say, Doctor, in which direction did it fall? 
Toward Venus! Captain. What! Captain, our satellite is 
lost! exclaimed Rubeus in embarassment. Lost? said the 
Professor displeassed. Yes, lost, my good colleagues! I 
now acknowledge my mistake. At 50 miles it was out of 



A TRIP TO MARS 



the earth's attraction. It was too high. If it would only 
reach Venus the atmosphere and the rotation of that planet 
would force it to become a satellite of» Venus and if the 
Venians have a wirelesss apparatus they could make use 
of it for their central wireless station. Yes, that is so, ans- 
wered the colleagues, afflicted by the loss. 

Well, my worthy colleagues, let us eat some martian 
food and forget it. That is what I say, answered the 
Professor with a smile. This huge potato tastes like bread, 
does it not? Said Rubeus. Exactly, answered the colleag- 
ues. Here is some buffalo cheese. It tastes like our gor- 
gonzola, does it not? Exactly, answered the colleagues. 
Here are some olives and some figs. Good for you Rubeus, 
said the Professor. Now, here is some wine. Salute, salute. 
It tastes like our good old chiandi, dosen't it? No, more 
like Barbera, answered the Professor. No, more like old 
California Zinfandel, answered the Captain smiling. 
Go'od eh? Answered Rubeus, lookout. Pastor Swiny 
may see you. The devil with that tipsy fellow, I 
will throw a meator over his head. Meteor eh? Answered 
Rubeus. smiling. Yes, meteor, repeated the Professor laugh- 
ing.. 

Well, Captain, suppose your satellite should reach 
Planet Venus and we could telegraph to her, how long would 
it take for the message to get there? Asked the Professor. 
The nearest of all heavenly bodies to the earth is the Moon, 
only 236,000 miles distant. Electricity travels at the rate 
oft 186,324 miles per second. It would take a message 1% 
seconds to fly from the earth to the moon, to Venus 2 
minutes 185 seconds, to Saturn 1 hour and 11 minutes, to 



A TRIP TO MARS 77 

Uranus 2 hours and 32 minutes, to Neptune 4 hours 2 
minutes, to Alpha Centauris 4 years. 4 months. 7 days 
19 hours and 12 minutes. Captain, my friend Caproni's 
aeroplane can fly 200 miles an hour, Supposing there was 
air instead of vaeeuum between the earth and other heavenly 
bodies, and his machine would fly, never stopping day or 
night, how long would it take for the aeroplane to reach 
other worlds? Asked Rubeus. To reach the Moon from 
earth it would take 7 weeks ; from the earth to Venus 14 
years ; to Mars 27 years ; to Jupiter 222 years ; to Saturn 452 
years: to Uranus 963 years to Xeptune 1539 years and to 
Alpha Centauri 14y 2 million years. Well then, how long 
would it take ftor your Aeriolus to fly from the earth to 
other worlds. Good God. Rubeus, you should know that 
the Aeriolus does m* fly outside of the air into vaeeuum. 
It runs by magnetic electrical pull, or planetary attraction, 
which minimum calculation is electric velocity, traveling 
at the rate of 186,324 miles a second. "We made the trip 
from the earth to Mars in 4 minutes and 21 seconds. You 
know that should it be our desire to take a trip from here 
to the Moon it would take the Aeriolus 1% seconds ; to Venus 
2 minutes 185 seconds and way down to Xeptune 4 hours 
2 minutes. I hope you don't wish to go to Alpha-Centauri. 
do you? I will tell you where I would like to go Captain, 
answered Rubeus. I woud like to go up to Eros, where 
1 would be able to lift a locomotive and train, weighing 
684.000 pounds. Yes, T too would like to do that: not up 
in Eros, however, but on mother earth, answered the Capt- 
ain smiling. Rubeus wishes to be a giant, eh? Said the 
Professor laughing. Keep silen you. I ha.ve a right to tc 



T8 A TRIP TO MARS 

haven't I? Oh, you kid — answered the Professor playfully. 

Well, my brave colleagues, let us rest. It is nearly 
twelve o'clock. The whistling and roaring of the air cur- 
rent was not heard, and the travellers fell asleep. 

The Captain was the first to awaken. Where are we? 
asked Rubeus. "Seems to me, Rubeus, we are five hours 
from the equator." What we have been asleep until 4 
o'clock. Life condition up in this strong air current and 
density of etheric waves. The wind up here is ten times 
more violent than the most terrible hurricane, such state 
of things soon envelops one in sound sleep. By Jove, 
Captain, one of the windows is half open, said the Professor. 
You see, that is what caused it, answered the Captain. 

Drreee, Hello, hello.. Is this Captain Marchy? Yes 
Say, Captain, there is a terrible pestilence on the earth, 
called Spanish Influenza. The United States Goverment 
lias of f eired'. 'One Million Dollars for the germ destroyer. 
What is ft&ed by ''the pteople of Mars? Why, the people of 
Mars do not suffer from any disease at all. The climate, 
the water they drink gives them a healthy life, and you 
know, they live very long lives. Whenever they get ill they 
take marshy sulphoric baths in sweat grottos. The use 
salt internally. I would suggest the grotto sudorifero of 
Monsulmano, near Lucca, Italy, and acqua di Montecantini, 
and acqua di Fiuggi, also acqua caltarelle of Teano. Too 
far off. Well then you shall have to die. Good-bye. By 
the way, Captain, when will you land? I don't know 
whether I will or not. Why? If you people down there 
are all sick, why should I land? Well you can't go back 
to Mars, Captain, Can't get back eh? 



A TRIP TO MARS 7 

Dreeee. Hello, hello. Is this Captain Marchy! Yes, 

Say. Captain your solar photography transmissions are fine. 
Yes. Where did you see them? On the rocky mountains 
of Alaska. The images are colored beautifully and are very 
clear. This is a fine solar photography. Captain, Thank 
you. Good-bye. 

The sun was now setting in the eastern sky. Five 
hours were spent in answering questions to different tel- 
ephone calls from ailparts of the globe. Finally the equator 
was reached. Well, my worthy colleagues, the circumfer- 
ence of the earth has been reached. YTe have travelled 
around it. having made the trip, grazing like a satellite. 
in less than 24 hours, covering a distance of 25.000 miles. 
From this height and in this calm region we can remain 
immovable, simply awaiting the moment when the earth, 
rotating underneath, should present a place on which we 
should wish to descend, as the atmospheric strata revolves 
with the earth. By Jove, I know where I would like to 
descend and that would be in Toscany. and in case I should 
get sick with the Spanish Influenza I could run to the 
grotto at Monsulmano and sweat it out. I would like to 
land in San Jose. California, in order to deliver my written 
story to myfriend Mtarcianus Rossi, said the Captain. Be- 
fore we select the place on which we wish to land it will 
be necessary for us to ascend beyond the earth's attraction 
continued the Captain. The motor was put in action for 
the firt time, and the height of 30 miles was soon reached. 

In this calm region the night was spent in reading the 
works of Flamarion, Lowell. Pickering. Schiapparelli. 
Capelli and the story of "\Yells At five o'clock 



80 A TRIP TO MARS 

in the morning Rubens was the first to awaken. 
Captain, let us descend in Japan. Very well, Rubeus, 
answered the Captain, and in less than ten minutes the 
shell aeroplane landed in the public park at Tokio. The 
Aeronatic Club of Tokio offered the occupants of the pro- 
jectile aeroplane a delicious banquet. Captain Marchy 
charged the Secretary of the Club with a fold, addressed to 
Marcianus Rossi at San Jose, California. The travellers 
returned to the shell aeroplane and started in a westerly 
direction for a second journey. The height of 18 miles was 
again reached. The whistling of the west-bound current 
was soon heard roaring violently and the 25,000 mile trip 
was again accomplished in 24 hours. When the equator 
was again reached, the Captain said. My worthy colleagues 
we have again encircled the globe. We have successfully 
travelled around the earth and have descended on its sur- 
face. Now, I am desirous of descending and returning to 
Planet Mars, not only to show the good Martians that we 
have kept our promise, but to try the device given me by 
the Martian Sibyl. Very well, Captain, but have you, 
worthy Captain, sent your mental message to her! Asked 
the Professor. Yes, I have communicated with the Sibyl 
and she answered favorably. That's it, Captain, said 
Rubeus. Why not descend to New York and let Professor 
Birkeland fire our projectile straight up to Mars with his 
electro-magnetic gun. Our shell, when once in space, would 
receive a powerful attraction by Mars and in reaching its 
atmosphere we could gracefully descend to the same place 
of departure. Next time, Professor, but now I shall try 
my equatorial motion, Arc you both willing to go along 



A TRIP TO MARS 81 

with me! Yes, yes. Good-bye terrestrian friends. Three 
cheers for the bullet aeroplane. Hurrah! hurrah! hurray! 
hurray. 

Next morning all the newsboys on the earth were run- 
ning and crying. "Extra! extra! all about the bullet aero- 
plane flying to Mars." People ofi all ages and conditions 
ran, pushing their way toward the newsboys. There was 
a general movement. All were running, elbowing one an- 
other. The crowds were increasing more and more in an 
effort to secure the papers. The news was printed in large 
type and the notices astonished everyone. 

CHAPTER XV 
Captain Marchy Melts, Turkish Warships and a 
German Submarine 



While the news had reached the whole globe that the 
bullet aeroplane had returned to Mars, thousands of cities, 
slumbering under the darkness of night, were suddenly 
awakened by brilliant sunshine. Men, women and children, 
dancing with joy, gathered at the squares to shake hands. 
Music bands started to play. The streets, which had so 
lately been dark and empty, were crowded with people. 
Church bells suddenly caught the news and in a moment 
all the antipodes were bell ringing. Constantinople seemed 
a carnival city; people rushed from their houses into the 
streets and in their wildness had exchanged clothes. The 
husband would have the skirt of his wife, and the wife the 
pants of her husband. Others had slipped on a boot and a 



82 A TRIP TO MARS 

sandal, or a wooden shoe and a slipper. A man would have 
on his wife's apron and the woman would have on her hus- 
band's coat; a boy would be wearing his father's pants 
and a man the knee breeches of his son. The asses were 
braying, the camels were roaring, roosters were crowing, 
dogs were barking and cats were mewing. Thousands of 
bats and millions of chatter bugs were flying. The chirp- 
ing of the frogs in the marshes increased the joy of the 
antipodes, who w r ere thanking Mahumet with folded arms 
for having turned night into day and winter into summer. 
In the excess of .joy,<an artiltery division, consisting of 50 
nine inch cannons was pointed on Artaxata in Armenia to 
massacre the ChristiansV suddenly a beam of light, descend- 
ing from tlie< horizon^ skiniiig- like the blaze of a volcano's 
crater, was miracouftly directed over these vicious Turks, 
who quickly disbanded and got to their heels, crying for 
mercy. A few seconds later the 50 pieces of big cannons 
w,ei|Gtffceen melting in a heap of mushy lava like substance, 
^emanating clouds of smoke. The bursting of the munitions 
was heard, with a terrific detonation, as for as Jerusalem. 
Then three warships were seen, steaming toward the scene 
of the disaster, when suddenly the beam of blaze was quickly 
directed from the horizon and a terrible explosion was heard 
and a heap of melting metal was seen elevating like an 
island of volcanic lava. 

Saij. Francisco appeared to be a city of wandering 
,,fl$ople. The news was brought to shore that a German 
submarine had been seen 300 miles off the Pacific Coast in 
an attack on a British ship. Suddenly a beam of light, 
shining from the horizon in full blaze, caused the am- 
munition to explode and the submarine was seen melting 



A TRIP TO MAES 83 

like a heap of wax. 

Bulletins were fastened on the windows of the Cal- 
ifornia leading papers, announcing that the bullet aeroplane 
was still spinning round the Equator at the height of 50 
miles, and that Captain Marchy was speaking by wireless 
telephone to the instructor of the baloon service of the War 
Department, who had ascended 29,500 feet, and who in 
turn was telephoning Captain Marchy 's communication to 
the San Francisco papers. The communication read as Hol- 
lows. Professor Todd of Amherst, who attempted to get 
into communication with Planet Mans by ascending 22,000 
feet, was under the pressure of the strong air cur- 
rents, consequently his emission of electric waves encount- 
ered cyclone air current at a height of 40 miles and was 
perturbed. 

Many other bulletins were fastened on the windows. 
This time the announcement was quickly repeated by the 
Italian, French and Spanish papers ofl the Latin quarter, 
under the captions SHALL WE ENJOY SUMMER 
CLIMATE IN THE WINTER SEASON? Captain Marchy 's 
sun blaze marks the nullity of the submarine, warships, 
cannons and ammunition. Captain Marchy 's blaze makes 
future wars impossible. Shall we enjoy sunshine at night 
Captain Marchy will bring down a couple of Martians .and 
the young generation will have wings. LeFranco-Calif- 
ornia fastened a bulletin with the caption of JULES 
VERNE'S DREAM OF A TRIP TO THE MOON HAS 
BEEN REALIZED. El Pueblo Espangnolo fastened an- 
other bulletin headed, SHALL WE TRAVEL WITH THE 
EARTH'S ROTATION? L 'Italia and La Loce del Popolo 



84 A TRIP TO MARS 

both fastened bulletins headed. Dispatches from Capua 
say that the fountain ofi youth can be found at Cumae in 
the grotto of the Sibyl, where that Prophetess lived 1000 
years. In reading this news, hundreds of old people threw 
their canes away and hastened to the steamship offices, 
shouting joyfully "Viva la gioventu." Columbus Avenue 
was black with old people, running and running. A re- 
giment of infantry was sent to the scene to keep order. 
When peace was restored some of the people found that 
they had mislaid their hats or lost their overcoats; others 
had mislaid their boots and lost their caps. Children were 
begging the old fathers not to depart ; daughters w r ere cry- 
ing and grandchildren were screaming. The blessings of 
the wifes and the provocation of the sons-in-laws turned the 
Latin quarters of San Francisco into a Babylon of con- 
fusion. 

CHAPTER XVI 
The Martians shoot a shell to the Earth. 



\i everyone could have had a telescope they might have 
seen another shell falling from the infinite. During the 
confusion, created by the joyful event, a beautiful object 
appeared in the sky. The astronomers at Lowell Observ- 
atory first saw it then Bourgas and finally Lick and others. 
The object was not large but very brilliant, with a grace- 
ful oval form. The Martians seemed to have calculated 
their jet with mathematical accuracy. The newspapers in 
San Francisco soon learned that Captain Marchy had an- 
nounced that the Martians had fired at us with their huge 



A TRIP TO MARS 85 

equatorial motion magnetic gun. As the shell approached 
the terrestrian air current at the height of 40 miles it set 
all the needles and wires of the Astronomical Observator- 
ies palpitating. Suddenly the enormous velocity, with 
which the shell was moving toward the earth, was arrested 
by the air current, causing it to be violently shifed and 
forcing it to graze around the earth like a satellite. Astron- 
omers were immensely excited at the spectacle, but in spite 
of what had happened, the shell suddenly transformed its 
oval shape and extended a sort of a parachute. Captain 
Marchy announced that the Martian shell was equipped 
with a machine, generating electrical power from the air, 
and that it was operated indefinitely without the ap- 
plication of other sources of energy taking the place of 
all existing power generators on earth. The shell, with 
the disposition of its electrical power generator, was run- 
ning at a speed of 2,034 miles per hour, passing the same 
point on the earth's surface twice in twenty-Jour hours. 

People in the excess of their feelings started to tele- 
graph to the andipodes in the search of a new central wire- 
less station, but really this was the central station vibrat- 
ing with the activity of radio bells and the ringer was 
audible at every station. 

An interplanetary communication was started at the 
Eiffel Tower Wireless Sation in Paris and soon Rome was 
set wild with joy. The last bulletin was fastened on the 
windows, under the caption, CAPTAIN MARCHY HAS 
CAPTURED THE FLYING SHELL AND IS RETURN- 
ING TO MARS. This news set the people of San Franciso 
in a walking spell. All the street cars were filled with 



86 A TRIP TO MARS 

peo.ple returning to their homes. The first rush was al- 
ready over. Large crowds of old Italians were marching 
to the Perry Station on their departure for Italy. One old 
man was walking very fast but making short steps, thinking 
that he, by drinking at the fountain of youth, could be 
turned young, and with this in mind, extended his hands 
toward heaven and started thanking God, "Good-bye 
grandpa, come back young ! cried little Romeo. Good-bye 
Grandpa, repeated a parrot, busy cracking a peanut, This 
time the old Italian lost his patience, pulled his revolver 
and aimed at the parrot, but the bird merely cried, "Good 
morning, Sir." "Oh, excuse me, Mr. Martian, said the old 
man, I thought you was a bird. 

It may surprise some people to learn that a thick 

■£$LOwer of meteors fell toward the earth, about 50 miles 
from the bullet aeroplane. The sky at Brazil, Guatemala 
&nd Mexico appeared to be on fire with flying meteors. 
In many places people laid prostrated on the ground. 
Cries of mercy could be heard for a mile offj. Meteors fell 
at a speed of 40 miles a second. One of the larger of these 
massess, weighing several ounces, fell on the old castle of 
Casteltenanco near the tower and it weighed several hun- 
dred pounds. It was found to consist of the same elements 
as the earth, and a scientist said that the sun. which is con- 
sidered the mother of the earth, moon, Mars and. other plan- 
ets, and the meteors are the same. We see the result of 

*fche uniformity of these laws in the world we inhabit; the 
same Materials have produced organization and human life 
similar'to these on the earth in many other .planets. 

We have detected in the sun many of those substances 



A TRIP TO MARS 



that form so large a part of the earth's crust. The follow- 
ing twenty-two elements have been detected: Sodium, 
calcium, magnesium, iron, chromium, nickel, cabalt, hy- 
drogen, maganese, aluminum, titanium, palladium, van- 
adium, molybdenum, strontium, lead, uranium, carium, 
cadmium, oxygen, carbon, silver, tin. etc. 

The uniformity of law and matter is proof that there 
must be through the universe organizations similar to those 
of our own system. We must suppose that chemical chan- 
ges have a certain fixed composed materials, like all natural 
objects, one planet having larger deposits oi silver, mer- 
cury and iron, another more diamonds, rubies and -sap- 
phires. 

CHAPTER XVII 

Gold Fish skin, azur eyes, green hair ,Martian maid is 

reflected from the Martian shell thru the stream of light 



It may surprise some people to learn that the shower 
of meteors formed the fragments of some comet that had 
been recently changing its path, coming nearer the earth. 

The Astronomical Observatory of Florence /ohsasw/ed 
the Martian shell, passing through space, had forced the 
meteor (Phobus) to descend within 100,000 miles from the 
earth's orbit. The French Astronomers were assume dj^at 
this movement was a consequence of the .attraction of the 
superior magnetic pull of the Martian shell, and finally, 
its rotation would be capable of producing light, which it 
would receive from the sun and that it would shine bril- 
liantly, rivaling that of the Moon, having a diameter of 15 



88 A TRIP TO MARS 

miles, tn fact about 8 o'clock that night the sky appeared 
a spectacle such as the eye of man had never been .privi- 
leged to behold. This spectacle had just started when a 
majestic blue light, larger than a rainbow, appeared on 
the horizon, streaming up to the new moon from the blue 
grotto of the lovely Isle of Capri on the Campanian shore. 
Naples seemed to be mysteriously enveloped in this beauti- 
ful light and Paris appeared, presenting a vision such as 
man had pictured it would be in paradise. The street 
lights at London were extinguished in order that a better 
view might be obtained of this majestic conical shaped 
brilliant stream of blue, violet and red colors, flashing up- 
ward. While people were walking on their heels, admir- 
ing this new natural wonder, the Martian girl, flying in 
the shell-aeroplane, was privileged by Captain Marchy to 
descend about 25 miles from the surface of the earth and 
within the violet stream of light flashing to the new moon 
from the earth. As the top and bottom of< the Martian 
shell was now uncovered the round diamond bottom show- 
ed the Martian girl, who appeared to the eye of man on 
Mother Earth scracely less beautiful than the best looking 
angels depicted by Murillo. Her brilliant gold-fish skin 
vivid azur eyes, beautiful green hair, shining pearl teeth, 
paradise bird feathers on her wings and her angelic figure 
astonished all the people of the earth. 

Unfortunately, the new Moon Phobus at midnight mov- 
ed upward, with an incredible velocity towards Mars, cease- 
ing to shine on the earth, and the azure stream of light 
animating by the the blue grotto ol Capri ceased to shine 
with it, and the Martian girl flew back to Captain Marchy 's 



A TRIP TO MARS 89 

bullet aeroplane. 

No one should be surprised if the new satellite, pos- 
sessing its original chemical properties. People came from 
all parts of the world in order to see this lovely Isle and 
its blue grotto. One can only enter the latter renowned 
spot, when the sea is calm, as the opening in the rock is so 
small and low. A soft blue mysteriously enveloped the 
visitors, coloring the air a magic azure as well as the 
thousands of stalactites which hung* from Its vaults. 

In Imperial times the Romans had mirrors, invented by 
Archimedes, large enough to reflect the entire persons and 
thousands of soldiers were made to march in front of| a 
large mirror, held in front of the blue grotto, and the flash- 
ing of pictures were sent to Turkey and Rumania on 
trajectory. The Romans were able to frighten those 
nations and compel them to obey the laws of Rome. The 
Diurna acta and the Publica acta Senate Journal, and 
authorized news, were sent to Emjpror Constantine at 
Constantinople, to Adrianus at Adrianoplus and to Mar- 
cianus at Maricanoples. Virgil frequently alluded to this 
system of sending messages and images by the Archimedes 
mirror, but Freccia points out the light of the azur grotto 
as sending station from Capri to Ischia,, to Rome and on the 
same mathematical trajectory to Turkey, Rumania and 
God knows if the direct signals were not sent to Paris 
London and Berlin. Had the blue grotto the same chemical 
properties at the present day this system of sending mes- 
sages and pictures could be utilized to reflect letters on 
the disc of the moon, as was acomplished in earlier times 



HO A TRIP TO MARS 

and the news could reach everyman on earth with the cost 
of a penny 

The air and the electricity in the Zodiacal lisrht, which 
is caused by a ring of meteoric bodies, moving about the 
sun in sufficient numbers, was increased bv molecoles or 
dust from the shower of) meteors flying through the Zod- 
iacal light and this offered the bullet aeroplane a good 
chance to fly up to Mars, but this beautiful nlanet had to 
get in line with the zodiacal light in order to be reached, as 
space has no air planetary trips and telegraphv. 

As Captain Marchy was spinning around the zodiacal 
light, waiting for the world Mars, the Professor asked Rub- 
eus for a drink of acqua ardiente. Ah, this i» delicious. 
Yes Processor cactus up in Mars are better than they are 
in» Mexico, so acqua ardiente is better. By Jove, Rubeus, 
you are looking 25 years younger. Go away, Professor, it 
is yourself that is getting gold fish skin and growing green 
hair like the Martians'. The first thing you know I will be 
growing wings. I am anxious to return to Mars in order 
to drink some more water at the fountain of youth. It is 
alliwater-'tff- youth up there, Rubeus, expecially in the Sch- 
iapparelli's channels. Do you know why I am anxious to 
return to Mars, Rubeus? I want to study the cold and 
warm channel forming such steady delightful climate. You 
know, Mars has less heat than the earth. Why, Profes- 
sor, that is easy to understand. Mars receives less heat 
from the sun, more natural heat from its springs. There 
you are. You are pretty clever, Rubeus, are vou not? Yes, 
I know one thing that you don't know, and that is that a 
cannon-ball, flying at the rate of one mile in five seconds 



A TRIP TO MARS 91 

would expend 3,400,000 years in the journey to reach Alpha 
Centauri. At 30 miles an hour, a car will run 263,000 miles 
in a year, a little farther than the moon. The car must 
continue its unceasing speed for more than 80 million years 
in order to reach the closest star. Yes, suppose a Caproni 
Aeroplane would fly at a speed of 200 miles an hour how 
many years would it expend in the the journey? Why 
14V 2 million years. 

Now, Rubeus, can you tell me how old the people live to 
be in Uranus? Why, every year up there counts eighty- 
four of ours, therefore, a child of 10 would be 340 years 
old, and to become a grandfather up trere you would have 
to live 5000 terrestrian years. Very well, now how about 
Neptune? Why, golden weddings up there would be cele- 
brated when you would be 12,000 years old. Well, Pro- 
fessor, do you know how many moons there are around 
Uranus? No. I do not, Well there are 4 satellites, travel- 
ling from east to west. Karamba, Rubeus, you are not so 
ignorant. Here, here, boys, give up that dispute, turn some 
gelatine on the walls of the bullet aeroplane, the sun is 
almost melting it, and keep the mirror well covered before 
some of those villages go up in flames. Very well. Captain 
answered the colleagues. We must not use this mirror like 
the one employed by Archimedes at the sie^e of Syracure 
and burn vessels, exclaimed the Captain with a smile. 



92 A TRIP TO MARS 

CHAPTER XVIII 
Return to Mars 



By Jove, Captain, Mars is in line, look through the 
telescope ! Yes, Processor, I can see it very clearly. My 
good colleagues, we shall now depart. I wish to call your 
attention to the wings. When the dial marks 40 miles off 
the surface of Mars press the button and be sure that the 
wings are well extended. Very well, Captain. Good-bye 
Mother Earth, cried the Captain. Oood-bve howled the 
colleagues. 

The Brass bands that had ceased to play when it was 
reported that the bullet aeroplane had really returned to 
Mars, again started playing, and continued until the whole 
world was wild with music. Newspaper boys were running 
and shouting. ' ' Extra ! extra ! ' ' I know where I am going, 
said the youngest one, I am v ?oing to Mars and grow wings, 
lam." 



Boston, Mass., July, 12, 1920 
Dear Mr. Rossi: 

Sometime ago when I was teaching at the University 
c.f Santa Clara, in reading some of your works I found 
them very original and noticed that you was a scholar 
and close student. 

Your manuscript "A TRIP TO MARS." keeps one 
in touch with the actual science of the present day, to 
study closely and then take just the one step forward 
which science is about to take. You illuminate the 
path; you inspire many of us to take the road not only 
to your visions which seem becoming our facts, but also 
to those which lie beyond. 

A great many of Jules Verne's marvelous scientific 
prophesies once thought impossible have come true. 
l, You surpass them by illuminating the way with modern 
means which were not discovered in the past century." 
"You have discarded all the brutal imagination con- 
cerning the inhabitants of Mars which was so horrible 
depicted by other authors." "You have illustrated." 
God's creatures in other worlds with that advanced step 
tlat has separated the Latin artists for paintings beauti- 
ful and inspiring, from the Egyptian and Aztec pictures. 
i gly and monstrous. "You have pictured the visions 
of that beautiful planet with a deep and understanding 
sympathy with it." Such is your genius in this work 
that one feels for your story the same understanding 
that ail do for Jules Verne's. "TRIP TO THE MOON." 

You have determined your' story with less speech- 
ing, which is the professional refinement of many modern 
authors who can explain in a few lines what the com- 
mon novelist generally cover several pages; thus shoe- 
ing the fruit that you have derived from the classic 
studies; "a lot of logic and little rhetoric." 

"Now that there is talk of sending message to Mars, 
"Mars becomes doubly interesting." Novelists have 
written fictions about it to satisfy their imaginations. 
How much do we know about Mars, Venus, Jupiter and 
the Moon? 

There are facts in your work that can not be found 
in hundreds of technical books. 

The scheme of solar energy and the battery shooting 
volley and thus kicking its way into space which is the 
principal scheme of your interplanetary flight seem 99% 
possible. The whole story is so fascinating and sympa- 
thetic that it will be remembered long after the little 
quarrels of today are all forgotten. 

Hoping that your work will be crowned with success. 

Sincerely Yours. 

Prof., A. GRASSY. 




LBFe21 



Treatment Date: 




feERVATiONTECHNOLOii-^JNC. 

CranbenyTwp.. PA 16066 
(412)779-2111 



